A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following abdominal surgery and observes that the client's wound has eviscerated. After calling for help, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Place the client supine with knees bent.
Assess the client for manifestations of shock.
Cover the area with a sterile dressing, moistened with 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation.
Raise the head of the client's bed 15° to 20°.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Placing the client supine with knees bent helps reduce abdominal pressure, but it is not the first action. Protecting the exposed organs from infection or drying out takes priority.
B. Assessing for manifestations of shock is important, but the immediate concern is to prevent further injury or infection to the exposed tissues.
C. The priority action when a wound eviscerates is to cover the area with a sterile dressing moistened with 0.9% sodium chloride solution to keep the organs moist and prevent infection until surgical repair can be done.
D. Raising the head of the bed slightly may help reduce pressure, but it is not the most immediate action compared to covering the exposed organs to prevent drying or infection.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Using a moisturizer after cleaning helps keep the skin hydrated, preventing dryness and cracking, which can increase the risk of infection.
B. Allowing the skin to air dry can lead to excessive dryness, especially in vulnerable areas, potentially compromising the skin’s integrity.
C. Rubbing the skin firmly can cause irritation, damage, and increased risk of skin breakdown, particularly in individuals with fragile skin.
D. Washing the skin daily with hot water can strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation, which increases the risk of infection. Warm water should be used instead.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A guaiac test does not check for parasites. Tests for parasites typically involve microscopic examination of the stool or other specialized tests.
B. Steatorrhea refers to fat in the stool, and this is detected through tests that measure fat content in the stool, not a guaiac test.
C. A guaiac test is specifically used to detect occult (hidden) blood in the stool, which can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, polyps, or colorectal cancer.
D. Bacteria in the stool is detected through stool cultures, not a guaiac test.