The nurse is assessing a client who had a surgical excision of a basal cell carcinoma one week ago. Assessment findings include redness, warmth, and serosanguinous drainage from the site. What would be the priority action by the nurse?
Request a prescription to culture the wound
Request a prescription for broad spectrum antibiotics
Assure the client this is normal in the healing process
Clean the wound with sterile normal saline
The Correct Answer is A
A. Requesting a prescription to culture the wound is the priority action because the presence of redness, warmth, and serosanguinous drainage could indicate an infection that needs to be confirmed and treated appropriately.
B. While antibiotics may be necessary if an infection is confirmed, it is crucial to first determine the presence of infection through culturing the wound.
C. Assuring the client that these findings are normal may delay necessary intervention if an infection is present, which could worsen the client's condition.
D. Cleaning the wound with sterile normal saline may be appropriate as part of wound care, but it does not address the underlying concern of possible infection and would not be prioritized over obtaining a culture.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. This statement is accurate as Mohs surgery involves examining each layer of skin for cancer cells before proceeding with further removal.
B. The client indicates a misunderstanding; Mohs surgery does not typically involve a needle biopsy of the lymph node at the time of the procedure, as it focuses on the local removal of skin cancer.
C. This statement is correct as the goal of Mohs surgery is to remove the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
D. This statement is also true as Mohs surgery is designed to minimize healthy tissue removal, often resulting in better cosmetic outcomes
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While being alert for non-verbal clues for pain or discomfort is important, it does not directly address the risk for ineffective airway clearance.
B. Answering for the client during rounds with the physician may compromise the client's ability to communicate their needs and concerns, which is not appropriate.
C. Assessment of the ability to cough and swallow is crucial for clients who have undergone oral surgery, as it directly relates to their airway clearance and safety in managing secretions.
D. Providing enough time for the client to respond is important for overall communication and comfort but does not specifically address the risk for ineffective airway clearance, which requires more targeted interventions.