The nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis who is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain of increased abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment, the nurse notes the abdomen is distended and bowel sounds are diminished.
Which is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

A patient with a BMI of 38 is considered to have obesity, which means they have excess body fat that may impair their mobility and increase their risk of complications such as pressure ulcers, infections, and respiratory problems. A bariatric bed is designed to accommodate the weight and size of obese patients, and a trapeze bar can help them change positions and transfer to a chair or wheelchair.

These interventions can promote comfort, safety, and independence for the patient.

Choice A is wrong because hourly vital signs are not necessary for a patient with obesity unless they have other conditions that warrant frequent monitoring.

Choice B is wrong because implementing all fall risk precautions may be excessive and restrictive for a patient with obesity who is otherwise stable and alert.

Choice D is wrong because supine positioning can compromise the patient’s breathing and circulation, and increase the risk of pressure ulcers and aspiration.

The patient should be encouraged to change positions frequently and elevate the head of the bed when lying down.

This action is intended to prevent a sentinel event, which is a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm. A sentinel event is a serious adverse event that signals the need for immediate investigation and response. Removing the wrong arm would be a devastating and irreversible outcome for the patient and the health care provider.

Choice A is wrong because the lack of healing of the stump is not a sentinel event. It is a possible complication of amputation that may be related to the natural course of the patient’s illness or underlying condition.

Choice B is wrong because ineffective control of the client’s pain is not a sentinel event. It is a quality of care issue that may affect the patient’s comfort and recovery, but it does not result in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm.

Choice D is wrong because the client being mildly sedated is not a sentinel event. It is a level of anesthesia that may be appropriate for some types of surgery, but it does not result in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm.