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 A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Confirming the correct position of the line by obtaining a blood sample is appropriate. Inserting a central venous catheter is a procedure that involves placing a catheter into a large vein, typically in the neck, chest, or groin. Confirming the correct placement is crucial to prevent complications such as pneumothorax (lung collapse) or catheter misplacement.
Choice B reason:
Instructing the client to cough as the catheter is inserted is not a standard practice during central venous catheter insertion and could lead to unnecessary complications.
Choice C reason:
Placing the head of the client's bed lower than the foot (Trendelenburg position) is not a standard practice during central venous catheter insertion and would not be helpful for this procedure.
Choice D reason:
Cleansing the site with hydrogen peroxide is not the recommended method for central venous catheter insertion. Typically, a sterile technique and appropriate antiseptic solution are used to reduce the risk of infection.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Measuring the client's blood pressure is appropriate. Assessing the client's blood pressure is a crucial initial step to determine the client's perfusion status and the impact of the bradycardia on their circulation. Sinus bradycardia can result in decreased cardiac output and compromised blood flow to various organs. Measuring the blood pressure helps the nurse evaluate the severity of the bradycardia and its potential effects on the client's overall condition.
Choice B Reason:
Administering atropine to the client is inappropriate. Atropine is a medication that can be used to increase heart rate in bradycardic situations. However, assessing blood pressure comes first to ensure that the blood pressure isn't critically low before administering medications.
Choice C reason:
Initiating IV fluid therapy for the client is inappropriate. Fluid therapy might be necessary to improve perfusion in certain cases, but assessing blood pressure should be done first to guide treatment decisions.
Choice D Reason:
Preparing the client for temporary pacing is inappropriate Temporary pacing might be required in severe cases of bradycardia, but again, assessing blood pressure takes priority to determine the urgency of intervention.
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