A nurse is planning care for a child who has neutropenia due to leukemia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A. Place the client in a side-lying position for the procedure. Paracentesis is typically performed with the client in a high-Fowler’s or upright position, allowing fluid to collect in the lower abdomen for easier drainage.
B. Administer a low-volume hypertonic enema the night before the procedure. An enema is not required for a paracentesis, as the procedure involves the peritoneal cavity, not the bowel.
C. Weigh the client before and after the procedure. Weighing the client helps assess the amount of fluid removed and monitor for fluid shifts. It is a key part of pre- and post-procedural care to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
D. Ensure the client has a full bladder just prior to the procedure. A full bladder increases the risk of injury during needle insertion. The bladder should be emptied before the procedure to prevent accidental puncture.

• Postoperative ileus: Ileus is a common complication after abdominal surgery due to anesthesia, opioid use, and limited mobility. It presents as delayed return of bowel function, marked by absent bowel sounds and abdominal discomfort. In this case, the child has absent bowel sounds and increasing tenderness, supporting this risk.
• Atelectasis: Atelectasis generally presents with diminished breath sounds and hypoxia, not clear breath sounds. Although the child has shallow respirations and is refusing the incentive spirometer, there are no respiratory findings such as decreased oxygen saturation or adventitious breath sounds that support this condition currently.
• Peritonitis: Peritonitis would present with systemic symptoms like fever, severe abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, or signs of sepsis. The child has mild abdominal tenderness and stable vital signs, which do not indicate peritoneal inflammation at this time.
• Urinary retention: This would be characterized by lack of urination, bladder distension, or discomfort—none of which are noted in the scenario. The child’s urinary output and bladder status are not identified as concerns, making this diagnosis unlikely.
• Absent bowel sounds: This is a key clinical sign of ileus. After surgery, bowel activity should return gradually. Continued absence of sounds, especially along with abdominal tenderness, strongly indicates impaired gastrointestinal motility.
• Shallow respirations: While shallow breathing is often a contributing factor to respiratory complications, in the context of abdominal surgery, it also limits diaphragmatic movement, which can further suppress bowel activity and contribute to postoperative ileus.
• Clear breath sounds: This is a normal respiratory finding and does not support the presence of atelectasis or other pulmonary complications. It suggests that lung fields are adequately ventilated despite shallow breathing.
• Intact abdominal dressing: This is an expected postoperative finding and does not support a diagnosis of infection, wound complication, or ileus. It indicates proper surgical wound healing.