While changing a postoperative patient’s dressing, the nurse notices purulent drainage at the site.
Before reporting this to the healthcare provider, which of the patient’s lab values should the nurse check?

Hematocrit.

Neutrophil count.

Platelet count.

Serum sodium level.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale

Hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. While it can be affected by various conditions, it is not the most relevant lab value to check when purulent drainage is noticed at a postoperative patient’s dressing site.

Choice B rationale

Neutrophil count is a measure of the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in the blood. An elevated neutrophil count can indicate an infection, making it the most relevant lab value to check in this scenario.

Choice C rationale

Platelet count is a measure of the number of platelets in the blood. While platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting, they are not directly related to infection and therefore not the most relevant lab value to check in this scenario.

Choice D rationale

Serum sodium level is a measure of the amount of sodium in the blood. While it can be affected by various conditions, it is not the most relevant lab value to check when purulent drainage is noticed at a postoperative patient’s dressing site.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is A. The nurse should first implement the prescription of Cefazolin 1 gram intravenously every 6 hours.

This is because, on admission of a patient to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) from surgery, the first priority is to assess the airway and breathing status. Administering Cefazolin, an antibiotic, helps prevent postoperative infections, which is crucial in the immediate postoperative period.

A. Altered taste sensation. B. Fatigue. C. Pain during eating. D. Nausea.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While altered taste sensation can occur with radiation treatment, it’s not the most likely reason for an imbalance in nutritional intake in this scenario.

Choice B rationale

Fatigue can be a side effect of radiation treatment, but it’s not the primary reason for an imbalance in nutritional intake in this case.

Choice C rationale

Pain during eating is the most likely cause of imbalanced nutritional intake in this scenario. The patient’s laryngeal cancer and the development of mucositis indicate that eating is likely painful for them. This discomfort can significantly deter the patient from eating, leading to decreased nutritional intake.

Choice D rationale

Nausea can occur with radiation treatment, but it’s not the primary reason for an imbalance in nutritional intake in this case.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

While changing a postoperative patient’s dressing, the nurse notices purulent drainage at the site.Before reporting this to the healthcare provider, which of the patient’s lab values should the nurse check?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is admitting a client from the postanesthesia unit to the postoperative surgical care unit.Which prescription should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient undergoing radiation treatment for laryngeal cancer has developed xerostomia and mucositis, leading to an imbalance in nutritional intake.What is the most likely reason for this issue?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with a possible vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is admitted with purulent drainage from an abdominal surgical incision.What nursing interventions should be included in the plan of care? Select all that apply.

After traveling to a country with a tropical climate, a young adult is diagnosed with a liver abscess and is taking antimicrobial therapy as an outpatient.During a follow-up visit at the community clinic, the nurse observes that the patient has developed jaundice.Which action should the nurse take?

A young adult is admitted to the emergency department after consuming an unknown quantity of drugs.The patient is unresponsive, and an endotracheal tube (ETT) has been inserted.What methods should the nurse use to confirm the correct placement of the ETT? Select all that apply.

What advice should a nurse give to a patient who is about to undergo a cystoscopy?

The nurse is providing teaching to a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus about important points for disease and symptom management.Which response by the client indicates understanding?

Which client statement or behavior is most likely associated with their current condition?

A client admitted with pneumonia and on bedrest has not had the strength to perform self-care.Which assessment finding provides the nurse with the earliest indication that the client is developing a pressure injury?

While changing a postoperative patient’s dressing, the nurse notices purulent drainage at the site.
Before reporting this to the healthcare provider, which of the patient’s lab values should the nurse check?