A nurse is caring for an adult client who has a fever of 39.4°C (103°F) and is receiving 0.9% sodium chloride IV at 125 mL/hr. Over the last hour, the nurse notes that the client's urine output is 20 mL. The nurse should report this finding to the provider and anticipate a prescription for what?

Choice A reason: Securing the drain to the client's bed sheet is not the best action for the nurse to take. This could cause the drain to be pulled or dislodged if the client moves or changes position. The nurse should secure the drain to the client's gown or abdominal binder, using a safety pin or a clip.

Choice B reason: Removing the JP drain when the drainage has ceased, covering the opening with sterile gauze, is not the correct action for the nurse to take. The nurse should not remove the drain without a physician's order, as this could cause complications such as infection, bleeding, or bile leakage. The nurse should monitor the amount and color of the drainage, and report any changes to the physician.

Choice C reason: Expelling the air from the JP bulb after emptying to re-establish suction is the correct action for the nurse to take. The JP drain works by creating a negative pressure that draws fluid from the surgical site. The nurse should empty the bulb when it is half full, and squeeze it until it collapses before closing the plug. This ensures that the suction is maintained and prevents the fluid from flowing back into the drain.

Choice D reason: Measuring the drainage every hour for the first 8 hr postoperative is not the correct action for the nurse to take. This is too frequent and unnecessary, as the drainage is expected to decrease over time. The nurse should measure the drainage every 8 to 12 hr, or as ordered by the physician, and record the volume and color. The nurse should also report any signs of infection, such as fever, pain, or foul odor.

Choice A reason: Guarding and rebound tenderness are signs of peritonitis, which is a serious complication of colonoscopy. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. It can be caused by perforation or puncture of the colon during the colonoscopy, which allows bacteria and fecal matter to enter the peritoneal space. The nurse should monitor the client for signs of peritonitis, such as abdominal pain, rigidity, fever, and leukocytosis.

Choice B reason: Nausea and vomiting are not specific signs of a complication of colonoscopy. They may be caused by other factors, such as the sedation, the bowel preparation, or the ingestion of food or fluids after the procedure. Nausea and vomiting may also be symptoms of other conditions, such as gastroenteritis, food poisoning, or pregnancy.

Choice C reason: Diarrhea is not a sign of a complication of colonoscopy. Diarrhea may be a normal consequence of the bowel preparation, which involves taking laxatives or enemas to clear the colon before the procedure. Diarrhea may also be caused by other factors, such as the ingestion of food or fluids after the procedure, or the presence of an underlying bowel disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.

Choice D reason: Hyperactive bowel sounds are not a sign of a complication of colonoscopy. Hyperactive bowel sounds may indicate increased peristalsis, which is the movement of the digestive tract. Hyperactive bowel sounds may be a normal response to the bowel preparation, the ingestion of food or fluids after the procedure, or the stimulation of the colon during the colonoscopy. Hyperactive bowel sounds may also be present in conditions such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or intestinal obstruction.