A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking warfarin and has an elevated PT/INR. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?

A. The client should not sit upright in a chair for prolonged periods (such as 4 hours at a time) immediately following spinal fusion, as this could place excessive strain on the surgical site. The client should be assisted to sit upright for short periods and be repositioned regularly.

B. Clear drainage on the spinal dressing could indicate cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which is a concern following spinal surgery. The nurse should expect minimal to no drainage, and if clear fluid is observed, it should be reported immediately.

C. Elevating the client's legs when lying on his side may not be necessary unless specifically ordered by the healthcare provider. In general, the client should maintain proper body alignment and avoid any positions that strain the surgical site.

D. Log rolling is a critical intervention for spinal fusion patients to prevent twisting of the spine. The nurse should assist the client in log rolling every 2 hours to maintain spinal alignment and prevent injury to the surgical site.

A. Bowel or bladder incontinence is a medical emergency and should be immediately reported. This symptom can indicate cauda equina syndrome, a condition caused by compression of the spinal nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord. This requires urgent surgical intervention to prevent permanent nerve damage.

B. Lower back pain is a common symptom of a herniated lumbar disk, but it is not an immediate emergency unless accompanied by other severe symptoms.

C. Muscle spasms are also common with a herniated disk and, while uncomfortable, are not immediately life-threatening.

D. Pain radiating down one leg (sciatica) is a typical symptom of a herniated lumbar disk and is often managed conservatively, unless it is severe or accompanied by other neurological deficits.