A nurse is assisting in the use of a fracture bedpan for a client who is immobile due to a cast. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason:
A registered dietitian is not appropriate as he or she can provide nutritional assessment and guidance to ensure the client's dietary needs are met.
Choice B reason:
A speech-language pathologist is not appropriate because it is crucial for addressing communication and swallowing difficulties that can arise from a stroke.
Choice C reason:
Occupational therapy is the right choice. Clients who have had a stroke often experience difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) due to the physical and cognitive changes that can result from the stroke. Occupational therapists are specialized in helping individuals regain or develop the skills needed to perform daily activities and tasks. They can assist stroke survivors in regaining independence in activities such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and feeding.
Choice D reason:
A physical therapist can assist with mobility and improving physical functioning, but since the question specifically mentions assistance with morning ADLs, the occupational therapist is the most appropriate choice.

Choice A reason:
Palpation can help assess for tenderness, rigidity, or masses in the abdomen, which might indicate infection, bleeding, or other complications. However, palpation could potentially worsen a condition such as an evisceration or dehiscence, or cause additional pain. Therefore, palpation should be done only after the visual inspection and with great caution in the presence of severe pain.
Choice B reason:
Percussion is useful for assessing the presence of gas, fluid, or solid masses in the abdomen. Resonance might indicate normal air-filled intestines, while dullness could suggest fluid or mass. However, percussion is not the first action in an acute setting of sudden severe pain because it does not provide immediate information that could be life-saving. It is a later step in the physical examination.
Choice C reason:
Visual inspection is the first step because it can quickly reveal critical signs such as swelling, distention, redness, or evidence of wound complications like dehiscence or evisceration. Identifying these signs early allows for rapid intervention, which could be life-saving. This is why exposing and inspecting the abdomen is the priority in the context of sudden severe pain following surgery.
Choice D reason:
Listening for bowel sounds can provide information about the function of the gastrointestinal system. Absence of bowel sounds might suggest a paralytic ileus, while hyperactive sounds could indicate a bowel obstruction. However, in the context of sudden, severe abdominal pain postoperatively, auscultation is not the first priority.