A nurse is monitoring a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following data should the nurse identify as the priority to monitor?

Choice A reason:
While monitoring urinary output is important after surgery to ensure kidney function and that the urinary tract has not been compromised during surgery, it is not the immediate priority. The nurse should ensure that the client is not experiencing postoperative complications such as urinary retention, but this comes after the assessment of vital signs.

Choice B reason:
Oxygen saturation is the priority assessment for a client being admitted from the PACU following an abdominal hysterectomy. Maintaining adequate oxygenation is critical after anesthesia, as respiratory function can be compromised. The nurse must ensure the client's airway is clear and that they are receiving sufficient oxygen to prevent hypoxia and other respiratory complications.

Choice C reason:
Inspecting the abdominal dressing is necessary to check for signs of bleeding or infection at the surgical site. However, this is not the first priority upon admission from the PACU. The nurse will assess the dressing after vital signs and oxygen saturation have been addressed.

Choice D reason:
Pain management is a significant part of postoperative care, and the nurse will need to assess the client's pain level to manage it effectively. However, the immediate priority is to ensure the client's vital signs are stable, which includes oxygen saturation, before addressing pain.

Choice A reason:
Keeping artificial nails trimmed is a recommended practice in healthcare settings to maintain effective hand hygiene. Long nails can harbor bacteria and make it difficult to clean hands thoroughly. However, the CDC does not provide specific guidelines on the length of artificial nails for healthcare workers.

Choice B reason:
When caring for a client with Clostridium difficile, it is recommended to wash hands with soap and water rather than using alcohol-based hand rubs. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile spores. Therefore, thorough handwashing with soap and water is necessary to remove spores.

Choice C reason:
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic agent that provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and is recommended for hand hygiene in certain situations, such as before invasive procedures or for clients who are immunosuppressed. It is effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it a suitable choice for immunocompromised patients to reduce the risk of infection.

Choice D reason:
The use of alcohol-based hand rubs before administering eye drops is not specifically recommended. While hand hygiene is essential before any contact with a patient, there is no particular preference for alcohol-based hand rubs in this context. The primary concern is to ensure that hands are clean to prevent contamination of the eye drops or the patient's eyes.