The nurse is assessing the surgical dressing of a patient who arrived on the unit an hour ago. The surgical dressing has serosanguineous drainage on the dressing. The nurse should:
change the surgical dressing immediately to prevent infection.
outline the area of drainage with a pen and mark it with the date and time.
make a note of the drainage on the worksheet to report it at the end of shift.
reinforce the dressing with clean gauze sponges and tape.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Change the surgical dressing immediately to prevent infection. Changing the dressing immediately is unnecessary unless there is a significant issue, such as excessive drainage or signs of infection. Minor drainage can be observed unless there's a need for further intervention.
B. Outline the area of drainage with a pen and mark it with the date and time. This is the correct action to monitor the drainage over time. By marking the area, the nurse can track whether the drainage increases, stays the same, or decreases, which helps in assessing the wound’s status and effectiveness of the surgical dressing.
C. Make a note of the drainage on the worksheet to report it at the end of shift. While documentation is important, it is essential to monitor the drainage immediately after the initial assessment rather than waiting until the end of the shift.
D. Reinforce the dressing with clean gauze sponges and tape. Reinforcing the dressing may be appropriate if drainage is increasing or if the dressing is inadequate, but marking the area first is necessary for accurate tracking.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","E"]
Explanation
A. Dry crust on the incision line.
Dry crust on the incision line could indicate that the wound is healing well, but it is not typically a sign of infection. Infection is more commonly associated with redness, warmth, and drainage. A dry crust does not automatically suggest infection.
B. Increased urine output.
Increased urine output is generally a sign of good hydration or adequate kidney function, not an indication of infection. Infection would more likely present with a fever or abnormal wound appearance, not increased urine output.
C. Decreased level of consciousness.
A decreased level of consciousness can be a sign of sepsis, an infection that has spread throughout the body. This is a serious indicator of possible infection, especially if it is sudden or unexplained in the postoperative period.
D. Adventitious breath sounds.
Adventitious breath sounds could be a sign of a respiratory infection or complications such as pneumonia, but they are not necessarily linked to infection at the surgical site. If the sounds are related to infection, this could be a sign of a lower respiratory tract infection.
E. Oral temperature of 38.3° C (101° F).
An oral temperature of 38.3° C (101° F) is a fever, which is a classic sign of infection. Fever is a common early sign of infection in the postoperative period and should be promptly addressed to rule out surgical site infection or other complications.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
General anesthesia involves the administration of inhaled or intravenous agents that induce unconsciousness, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Nerve blocks (spinal, caudal, epidural, and peripheral blocks) are forms of regional anesthesia, not general anesthesia.
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