A nurse is caring for a client who has prostate cancer and has undergone a prostatectomy. Which of the following should the nurse understand as a potential complication of prostate surgery?

Choice A reason:

Pneumothorax, a collapsed lung, can indeed cause shortness of breath and dyspnea. However, it is typically associated with a sudden onset of these symptoms following a chest injury or spontaneously in the case of a ruptured air blister. In the context of a femoral head fracture, pneumothorax is less likely unless there was additional trauma to the chest area.

Choice B reason:

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that leads to inflammation of the air sacs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus. Symptoms include cough with phlegm, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. While pneumonia could cause dyspnea, it usually develops due to an infectious process rather than directly from a femoral head fracture.

Choice C reason:

Airway obstruction involves a blockage that prevents air from passing freely to the lungs. It can be caused by foreign objects, swelling due to allergic reactions, or other medical conditions. The symptoms of airway obstruction include difficulty breathing, wheezing, and potential changes in skin color. However, airway obstruction is not commonly a direct complication of a femoral head fracture.

Choice D reason:

Fat embolism syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when fat globules enter the bloodstream and lodge within the pulmonary vasculature, leading to respiratory distress. It is a known complication following long bone fractures, such as the femur, and presents with symptoms like shortness of breath, hypoxemia, and neurological manifestations. Given the recent femoral head fracture and the symptoms reported, fat embolism syndrome is the most likely diagnosis.

Choice A reason:
Clay-colored stools are typically associated with issues in the biliary system, such as bile duct obstruction or liver infections, and not directly with aspirin use. Aspirin does not typically cause a change in stool color unless there is gastrointestinal bleeding, which would more likely result in black, tarry stools.

Choice B reason:
Nystagmus, which is a vision condition characterized by repetitive, uncontrolled eye movements, is not a known side effect of aspirin. This condition is more commonly associated with neurological disorders, certain medications, or alcohol intoxication.

Choice C reason:
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a recognized adverse effect of aspirin, especially when taken in high doses or for a prolonged period. It occurs due to aspirin's effect on the inner ear's cochlear cells and can be a sign of salicylate toxicity.

Choice D reason:
Respiratory depression is not a typical side effect of aspirin. Aspirin can cause respiratory alkalosis in cases of overdose, but it does not depress respiration. Instead, it may cause hyperventilation due to stimulation of the respiratory center in the brain.