A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following bowel resection and reports sudden, severe abdominal pain.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Expose the client's abdomen to look for changes in appearance.
Determine areas of resonance across the abdomen using a systematic approach.
Use the diaphragm of a stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds.
Perform abdominal palpation by pressing gently with the finger pads.
The Correct Answer is A
After postoperative surgery, chances of infections are very high also discharges, color changes, etc.
So it is important to expose the client’s abdomen to look for changes in appearance.

Choice B is not the answer because determining areas of resonance across the abdomen using a systematic approach is not the first action that should be taken 1.
Choice C is not the answer because using the diaphragm of a stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds is not the first action that should be taken 1.
Choice D is not the answer because performing abdominal palpation by pressing gently with the finger pads is not the first action that should be taken 1.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Step 1: Calculate the total fluid intake. The client received 0.9% sodium chloride 600 mL IV infusion and cefazolin 250 mg in dextrose 5% in water 100 mL intermittent IV bolus. So, the total fluid intake is 600 mL + 100 mL = 700 mL.
Step 2: Calculate the total fluid output. The client had 200 mL emesis, 40 mL voided urine, and 20 mL urine from straight catheterization. So, the total fluid output is 200 mL + 40 mL + 20 mL = 260 mL.
Step 3: Calculate the net fluid intake. The net fluid intake is the total fluid intake minus the total fluid output. So, the net fluid intake is 700 mL - 260 mL = 440 mL.
Therefore, the nurse should record the net fluid intake as 440 mL.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The Braden scale measures six elements: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.

“The higher the score, the higher the pressure injury risk”: This statement is incorrect.
The lower the score on the Braden scale, the higher the risk for pressure injury.
“Each element has a range from one to five points”: This statement is incorrect.
Each element has a range from one to four points, except for friction/shear which has a range from one to three points.
“The client’s age is part of the measurement”: This statement is incorrect. Age is not one of the elements measured by the Braden scale.
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