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?

Perform abdominal palpation by pressing gently with the finger pads.

Determine areas of resonance across the abdomen using a systematic approach.

Expose the client's abdomen to look for changes in appearance.

Use the diaphragm of a stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

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.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:
"New dressing applied as prescribed; no drainage on old dressing. “This entry provides clear and concise information about the action taken (applying a new dressing as prescribed) and the assessment of the old dressing (no drainage present). It accurately reflects the dressing change process and the status of the wound.
Choice B reason:
"Client premedicated with MSO, sub-prior to dressing change." This entry is incorrect because it provides information about the client being premedicated, but it doesn't specifically address the dressing change or the pressure injury.
Choice C reason:
"The wound seems clean and does not appear to be infected." While this entry provides an assessment of the wound's cleanliness and potential infection, it lacks specific details about the dressing change itself.
Choice D reason:
"No changes noted to the wound from previous nursing notes." This entry focuses on comparing the wound to previous notes but doesn't provide information about the current dressing change or assessment.

A. Place the wasted portion of the controlled substance in the sharp container. B. Ask a second nurse to record her signature when wasting any unused portion of the controlled substance. C. Verify the count total of the controlled substance after removing the amount needed. D. Report any discrepancy in the count total of the controlled substance after administration.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:
Placing the wasted portion of the controlled substance in the sharp container is not correct. Wasted controlled substances should be disposed of according to specific regulations and facility protocols.
Choice B reason:
Asking a second nurse to record her signature when wasting an unused portion of the controlled substance is not a standard practice. The process for wasting controlled substances usually involves following specific documentation procedures, but this does not necessarily require a second nurse's signature.
Choice C reason:
Verifying the count total of the controlled substance after removing the amount needed is the appropriate action. When administering a controlled substance, it is crucial to maintain accurate accountability of the medication. This includes verifying the count total of the controlled substance before and after removing the amount needed for administration. This step helps ensure proper documentation, prevent errors, and maintain appropriate control over controlled substances.
Choice D reason:
Reporting any discrepancy in the count total of the controlled substance after administration is important, but it should be done as a separate step from verifying the count total before administration. Discrepancies should be reported according to facility policy to ensure proper investigation and resolution.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is documenting a dressing change for a client who has a pressure injury. Which of the following entries by the nurse demonstrates correct documentation?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer a controlled substance to a client for pain management. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 250 mL IV fluid bolus. The nurse administers a 500 mL IV bolus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

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?

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous enteral feeding via NG tube. Which of the following is an unexpected finding?

A nurse is planning to discharge a client who has diabetes mellitus and a new prescription for insulin. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to complete first?

A nurse is caring for a client who has tuberculosis. Which of the following precautions should the nurse plan to implement when working with the client?

A nurse is implementing seizure precautions for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which of the following equipment should the nurse place at the client's bedside? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is preparing to insert an IV catheter for a client following a right mastectomy. Which of the following veins should the nurse select when initiating IV therapy?