A nurse enters a client's room and discovers the client's abdominal incision is open with the large intestine protruding through the opening. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Alert the emergency response team.
Cover the area with sterile normal saline-soaked gauze.
Place the head of the client's bed at a 15° angle.
Prepare the client for surgery.
The Correct Answer is B
A) Alert the emergency response team: While alerting the team is important, it should not be the first action taken. Immediate care to protect the client’s integrity is the priority before involving additional personnel.
B) Cover the area with sterile normal saline-soaked gauze: This is the most immediate and critical action. Covering the exposed bowel with sterile saline-soaked gauze helps to prevent infection and keeps the tissue moist, which is essential until surgical intervention can be performed.
C) Place the head of the client's bed at a 15° angle: While positioning the client can help with comfort and possibly reduce further protrusion, it is not the priority action in this emergency situation. The exposed bowel requires immediate protection.
D) Prepare the client for surgery: Preparing for surgery is a necessary step, but it should follow the immediate care for the exposed intestine. Ensuring that the bowel is covered and protected takes precedence.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Remove one of the weights: This is the appropriate action. If the weights are resting on the floor, it indicates that the traction is ineffective, and removing one weight may be necessary to restore proper traction. However, the nurse should first verify the prescribed amount of weight with the healthcare provider before making adjustments.
B) Pull the client up in bed: While it may be necessary to reposition the client, pulling them up in bed does not address the issue of the weights resting on the floor and could potentially cause discomfort or injury.
C) Increase the elevation of the affected extremity: While elevating the extremity may be beneficial for swelling or comfort, it does not resolve the issue of ineffective traction caused by the weights on the floor.
D) Tie knots in the ropes near the pulleys to shorten them: This action is inappropriate. Tying knots in the ropes could interfere with the proper function of the traction system and is not a safe or effective solution to the problem.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Serosanguineous drainage: While serosanguineous drainage can be expected after surgery, it is typically not alarming unless it significantly increases or changes in character. This finding alone does not indicate an immediate complication that requires urgent attention, making it a lower priority to report compared to other findings.
B) Client report of incisional pain: Postoperative pain is common and expected after a complete thyroidectomy. While the nurse should assess and manage the pain appropriately, this symptom is not unusual and does not signal a critical issue that would necessitate immediate reporting to the healthcare provider.
C) Client report of nausea: Nausea can occur after surgery due to anesthesia or medications. Although it should be addressed and managed, it is not a life-threatening complication. Therefore, this finding does not take priority over other more concerning symptoms.
D) Muscle twitching: Muscle twitching in a postoperative thyroidectomy patient may indicate hypocalcemia, a possible complication due to potential damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. This condition can lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly, including tetany or seizures. Given the potential seriousness of this finding, it is critical for the nurse to report it to the healthcare provider immediately to ensure appropriate evaluation and intervention.