A nurse is caring for a postoperative client and observes evisceration of the abdominal surgical wound. After covering the wound with a sterile, saline-soaked dressing, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: Administering enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneously in the deltoid site is incorrect. Enoxaparin is typically administered in the abdomen or thigh to ensure proper absorption and minimize the risk of injury. Administering it in the deltoid requires an incident report for protocol deviation.

Choice B rationale: Advancing the urinary catheter 18 cm (7 in) is standard practice for male clients to ensure the catheter reaches the bladder. There is no indication of error or the need for an incident report as this action follows proper procedure.

Choice C rationale: Cleansing a wound with 0.99% sodium chloride irrigation prior to collecting a specimen for culture is standard practice. This action ensures the wound is free from surface contaminants and does not necessitate an incident report.

Choice D rationale: Flushing the tubing of a continuous enteral feeding with 30 mL of water is standard practice to maintain patency and ensure the effectiveness of the feeding. This procedure follows guidelines and does not require an incident report.

Choice A rationale:

The walking gait test is used to assess a client's walking pattern and balance, particularly for identifying abnormalities in gait. However, it doesn't specifically evaluate sensory functions, making it an inappropriate choice for this scenario.

Choice B rationale:

The plantar reflex test, also known as the Babinski reflex test, assesses the neurological integrity of the corticospinal tract. It involves stimulating the sole of the foot to elicit specific reflex movements. While this test is important in assessing neurological function, it doesn't directly evaluate sensory functions as requested in the question.

Choice C rationale:

The finger-to-nose test is a part of the neurological examination used to assess a client's coordination and proprioception. In this test, the client is asked to touch their nose with their index finger while alternating between eyes closed and eyes open. This evaluates their ability to sense the position of their limbs in space (proprioception) and their coordination. It directly addresses the focus of the question, making it the correct choice.

Choice D rationale:

The Romberg test evaluates a client's balance and proprioception. It involves having the client stand with their feet together and their eyes closed to assess their ability to maintain balance without visual input. While this test is relevant to sensory functions, it primarily assesses proprioception and balance rather than coordination, which the question is specifically targeting.