A nurse is caring for a client who had a surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 3 days ago. The client's vital signs are temperature 38.3°C (100.9°F), heart rate 80/min, respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Notify the surgeon of the temperature elevation.

Encourage the client to drink more fluids.

Assess the surgical incision for signs of infection.

Monitor vital signs every 4 hr.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:
Notifying the surgeon of the temperature elevation is important, but it is not the nurse's priority. A temperature elevation after abdominal surgery could be a sign of infection, but the immediate action should be to assess the surgical incision for any signs of infection.
Choice B rationale:
Encouraging the client to drink more fluids is a good practice to maintain hydration and promote recovery after surgery. However, it is not the nurse's priority in this situation. The elevated temperature and potential infection take precedence over increasing fluid intake.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct answer because the nurse's priority is to assess the surgical incision for signs of infection. An elevated temperature is a significant finding after surgery, and it may indicate a surgical site infection, which requires prompt assessment and intervention.
Choice D rationale:
Monitoring vital signs every 4 hours is an essential nursing intervention after surgery, but it is not the priority when the client has an elevated temperature and a recent surgical incision.
The nurse must first assess for signs of infection before proceeding with routine vital sign monitoring.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Is appropriate to assess postoperative urinary function after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). It helps monitor the return of normal bladder function.
Choice B rationale:
Is not necessary and could potentially cause discomfort and increased risk of tube dislodgment. Securing the tube properly to the bed or clothing is a more appropriate method.
Choice C rationale:
Is essential to assess urinary function, and fluid balance, and identify any potential complications such as urinary retention or excessive bleeding.
Choice D rationale:
Helps alleviate discomfort and prevent spasms after TURP. Bladder spasms can be common after the procedure, and antispasmodics can aid in managing them.
Choice E rationale:
Is necessary to keep the catheter patent and prevent clot formation in the urinary tract. It helps maintain proper drainage and prevents complications.

A. Administer furosemide. B. Weigh the client weekly. C. Offer the client a high-sodium diet. D. Administer heparin.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Answer: A. Administer furosemide.

Rationales

A. Administer furosemide.
Furosemide, a loop diuretic, helps reduce fluid overload by promoting urinary excretion of sodium and water. In a client with cirrhosis and ascites, it decreases abdominal distention, eases breathing by reducing pressure on the diaphragm, and prevents complications related to severe fluid accumulation.

B. Weigh the client weekly.
Weekly weights would not provide sufficient monitoring for a client with ascites, since fluid retention can change rapidly within hours or days. Daily weights are necessary to detect subtle increases in fluid status and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

C. Offer the client a high-sodium diet.
A high-sodium diet would worsen fluid retention and ascites, as sodium promotes water retention. Instead, a low-sodium diet is indicated to limit further fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity.

D. Administer heparin.
Heparin is not a standard intervention for cirrhosis with ascites. Because the diseased liver produces fewer clotting factors, clients are already at risk for bleeding, and anticoagulant therapy would heighten this risk without addressing the underlying problem of fluid accumulation.

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A nurse is caring for a client who had a surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 3 days ago. The client's vital signs are temperature 38.3°C (100.9°F), heart rate 80/min, respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is 6 hr postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply.).

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is planning care for a client who has long-term liver cirrhosis and a new diagnosis of abdominal ascites. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent complications?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Answer: A. Administer furosemide.

Rationales

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