The following six questions are part of an unfolding case study.

Review the electronic health record. Which 3 assessment finding(s) require follow-up by the nurse? Select three findings.

A. Nausea: Nausea may occur after surgery due to anesthesia or medications, but it is a nonspecific symptom and does not directly indicate infection. It is important to monitor but is not the priority for identifying an SSI.

B. Fever: Fever is an early and objective sign of systemic infection, including surgical site infection. Elevated temperature indicates the body’s inflammatory response to microbial invasion at the wound site and warrants prompt assessment of the surgical area.

C. Poor appetite: Reduced appetite is common postoperatively and can result from pain, medications, or stress. While it may accompany infection, it is nonspecific and not the most critical indicator of SSI.

D. Pain: Some pain at the surgical site is expected after surgery. Increased or unrelieved pain may signal complications, including infection, but fever provides a more objective and early indication that infection may be developing.

A. By focusing on medical diagnoses: Limiting a concept map to medical diagnoses restricts the nurse’s perspective and does not fully engage critical thinking. Concept maps integrate multiple aspects of patient care, including psychosocial, physiological, and nursing considerations, rather than focusing solely on diagnoses.

B. By examining interrelationships: Concept maps visually display the connections among patient problems, interventions, and outcomes, helping nurses identify patterns and prioritize care. Examining these interrelationships promotes deeper understanding, clinical reasoning, and the ability to anticipate complications. It enhances critical thinking and holistic patient care.

C. By following a linear approach: Concept maps are nonlinear tools that allow flexible exploration of complex patient situations. A strictly linear approach limits the ability to see connections and interactions, reducing opportunities for critical analysis.

D. By reducing assessment time: Concept maps do not shorten assessment but instead organize and synthesize data. Their value lies in improving understanding and decision-making rather than accelerating the assessment process.