A nurse is preparing a patient for discharge after surgery. The patient needs to change a large dressing and manage a drain at home. What instruction by the nurse is most important?
“Call your surgeon if you have any questions at home.”
”Eat a diet high in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C.”
“Wash your hands before touching the drain or dressing."
“Be sure you keep all your postoperative appointments.”
The Correct Answer is C
A. “Call your surgeon if you have any questions at home.”
This instruction is important as it encourages the patient to seek help and clarification if they have any concerns or questions about their postoperative care at home. However, while communication with the surgeon is essential, it is not as immediately critical as ensuring proper hand hygiene when dealing with wound care and drain management.
B. ”Eat a diet high in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C.”
Nutritional advice is crucial for postoperative recovery, as a balanced diet high in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C can promote wound healing and overall recovery. However, while important for long-term recovery and healing, dietary recommendations do not directly address the immediate risk of infection or complications associated with wound care and drain management.
C. “Wash your hands before touching the drain or dressing."
This instruction is the most important in this context because proper hand hygiene is crucial for preventing infections during wound care and drain management. Clean hands significantly reduce the risk of introducing harmful bacteria or contaminants to the surgical site, which can lead to infections and other complications. Ensuring that the patient washes their hands before touching the drain or dressing is a fundamental measure for promoting wound healing and preventing postoperative complications.
D. “Be sure you keep all your postoperative appointments.”
Keeping postoperative appointments is important for ongoing assessment, monitoring, and follow-up care. However, while essential for overall recovery and management of postoperative issues, it is not as immediate or directly related to the patient's ability to manage their dressing and drain at home.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Superficial infections are caused by fungus.
While fungal infections can indeed cause superficial skin infections like tinea (ringworm) or candidiasis, they are not the common factor for the etiology and pathophysiology of folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. These conditions primarily involve bacterial infections of the hair follicles, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
B. Parasites get underneath the skin.
Parasitic infections can cause various skin conditions, but they are not the common factor for folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. These conditions are specifically related to bacterial infections of the hair follicles rather than parasitic infestations.
C. Hair follicles are infected or inflamed.
This is the correct choice and the common factor for folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. All three conditions involve the infection or inflammation of hair follicles, primarily due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles, furuncles are deeper infections involving the hair follicle and surrounding tissue, and carbuncles are clusters of interconnected furuncles with deeper tissue involvement.
D. There is an allergic response to an allergen.
An allergic response to an allergen does not play a role in the etiology and pathophysiology of folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. These conditions are primarily infectious in nature, involving bacterial colonization and subsequent inflammation of the hair follicles rather than an allergic response.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. There is no redness, warmth, or drainage at the insertion site.
This assessment is crucial for evaluating the status of the abdominal drain site. The absence of redness, warmth, or drainage suggests that the insertion site is healing well without signs of infection or inflammation. It indicates that the drain is functioning properly and that there are no immediate complications related to the drain insertion. This assessment directly addresses the goals related to monitoring the drain site for signs of infection or dysfunction.
B. Drainage from the surgical site is 30 mL less than yesterday.
Monitoring the drainage output from the surgical site is important to assess for changes in drainage patterns. A decrease in drainage volume may indicate reduced fluid accumulation at the surgical site, potentially reflecting improved healing and decreased need for drainage. However, while this assessment is valuable, it is not as directly related to assessing the status of the drain itself or evaluating complications at the insertion site as option A.
C. The patient reports adequate pain control with medications.
Pain control is an essential aspect of postoperative care, but it is not specifically related to assessing the functionality or complications of the abdominal drain. While pain management is important for patient comfort and recovery, it does not directly address the goals related to monitoring the drain site for signs of infection, leakage, or other complications.
D. Urine is clear yellow, and urine output is greater than 40 mL/hr.
While monitoring urine output and characteristics is important for assessing renal function and hydration status, it is not directly related to assessing the abdominal drain or its complications. Clear yellow urine and adequate urine output are generally positive indicators but do not provide specific information about the functionality or status of the drain.
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