The practical nurse (PN) views the mid-line episiotomy of a client who reports pain in her stitches. Which action should the PN take first?

A. Encouraging the client to proceed with the surgery may dismiss their valid fears and does not address the underlying emotional concerns. It is important to acknowledge the client’s feelings rather than pressuring them to continue.
B. Notifying the charge nurse of the client’s concerns ensures that the client’s emotional state and any potential issues with informed consent are addressed appropriately. The charge nurse can facilitate further discussion with the surgical team to ensure the client’s concerns are managed and that the consent remains valid.
C. Documenting the client’s concerns is important for legal and clinical reasons, but it does not address the client’s immediate emotional needs or resolve their fears. The priority is to ensure the client’s concerns are addressed and escalated if necessary.
D. Reminding the client that consent has already been obtained does not validate their current emotional concerns and can be dismissive. The focus should be on addressing the client’s anxiety and exploring their concerns.

A. Hoarseness in the voice following a thyroidectomy can be a sign of vocal cord damage or laryngeal nerve injury, which are potentially serious complications. The appropriate action is to notify the unit charge nurse to escalate the finding for further assessment by a physician or advanced practice provider.
B. Administering humidified oxygen does not specifically address the issue of hoarseness. While humidified oxygen might be beneficial for general respiratory comfort, it is not a targeted intervention for potential vocal cord damage.
C. Ensuring that the drainage device is compressed is important for managing surgical wounds but does not address or diagnose vocal cord issues. Hoarseness after thyroid surgery is more indicative of a potential complication rather than a drainage issue.
D. Obtaining ice chips does not address the underlying cause of the hoarseness and may not provide significant relief. The priority is to identify potential complications rather than offering symptomatic relief.