An older adult client who had a colon resection 8 days ago is straining at stool. The practical nurse (PN) observes sudden spillage of serosanguinous drainage from the client's wound followed by appearance of bowel on the skin. Which complication has occurred?

A. Understanding what the voices are saying is the most important initial step in assessing auditory hallucinations. This information helps the PN gauge the content of the hallucinations, which is crucial for developing a treatment plan and determining the level of risk to the client or others.
B. While knowing when the voices are most disturbing provides useful information for managing symptoms, it is less critical than understanding the content of the hallucinations for developing an initial treatment plan.
C. Assessing how the client copes with the voices is important for ongoing management but comes after understanding what the voices are saying. Coping strategies can be developed based on the nature of the hallucinations.
D. Determining which medication works best is not an immediate priority during the initial assessment. Medication effectiveness will be evaluated over time rather than being a primary focus during the first report of hallucinations.

A. Give ibuprofen 400 mg PO every 6 hours PRN for fever
The client has a fever of 101.5° F (38.6° C), so administering ibuprofen to manage the fever is appropriate.
B. Give 1,000 mL sodium chloride now
This prescription is already ordered and being administered, so it does not need to be requested again.
C. Discontinue the peripheral IV
The client needs IV access for fluid administration and potential medications, so discontinuing the peripheral IV is not appropriate.
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
There is no indication of urinary retention or need for precise fluid measurement, making this intervention unnecessary at this time.
E. Apply cardiac telemetry monitoring
Given the client's elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, cardiac telemetry monitoring would help in continuously assessing the client's cardiac status.
F. Collect blood to test electrolyte levels
Due to the client's symptoms and history of decreased fluid intake, electrolyte imbalance is a concern, and testing electrolyte levels is necessary.
G. Prepare to defibrillate the client
There is no indication of a cardiac emergency that would require defibrillation.
H. Collect blood for a type and screen
There is no indication of the need for a blood transfusion, making this intervention unnecessary.