A PACU nurse is monitoring the drainage from a client's NG tube following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings in the first postoperative hour should the nurse report to the provider?
75 mL of greenish-yellow drainage
150 mL of serosanguineous drainage
100 mL of red drainage
200 mL of brown drainage
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
75 mL of greenish-yellow drainage should not be reported. This could be stomach contents or bile, which can be expected after surgery and might not be alarming.
Choice B reason:
150 mL of serosanguineous drainage should not be reported. Serosanguineous drainage is a mix of clear and slightly bloody fluid, which can be expected after surgery and may not be alarming.
Choice C reason:
100 mL of red drainage should be reported. After abdominal surgery, the drainage from an NG (nasogastric) tube is monitored to assess the client's condition and the status of their gastrointestinal system. Red drainage could indicate bleeding, which is a significant concern after surgery. The nurse should report this finding to the provider for further evaluation and intervention.
Choice D reason:
200 mL of brown drainage should not be reported. Brown drainage could also be indicative of old blood or digestive fluids, which might be expected after surgery and may not be alarming.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Blurred vision is incorrectly. Blurred vision is not a common complication of immobility and is more likely related to other factors.
Choice B Reason:
Polyuria is incorrect. Increased urination (polyuria) is not directly related to immobility; it can be caused by various factors, such as fluid intake, medications, or underlying medical conditions.
Choice C Reason:
Diarrhea is incorrect. While immobility can contribute to constipation due to reduced activity and decreased bowel motility, it is not typically associated with diarrhea
Choice D Reason:
Confusion is correct. Confusion can be a potential complication of immobility in bedridden clients. Prolonged immobility can lead to reduced sensory stimulation, altered sleep patterns, and decreased cognitive engagement, which can contribute to confusion and cognitive decline.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Listening to the client's bowel sounds should not be implemented. While assessing bowel sounds is important, it is not the highest priority in this situation. The client's low serum potassium level indicates the potential for serious cardiac arrhythmias, so actions related to monitoring and addressing this electrolyte imbalance are more critical.
Choice B reason:
Initiate cardiac monitoring for the client is the correct answer. A serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is significantly low and can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Initiating cardiac monitoring is crucial to assess the client's heart rhythm and ensure that any potential abnormalities are identified promptly.
Choice C reason:
Check the client's hand grasps should not be implemented. Assessing the client's hand grasps can provide information about muscle strength, but it is not the immediate priority when the client has a critically low potassium level.
Choice D reason:
Administer an IV potassium drip should not be implemented. Administering IV potassium is important for correcting the potassium imbalance, but the priority is to assess and monitor the client's cardiac status first. Rapid administration of potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, so it's important to ensure the heart's stability through cardiac monitoring before administering potassium.
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