. The nurse is caring for the patient who is 1-day status post splenectomy. The patient complains of pain of a 3 on inspiration. What would be the most appropriate priority nursing intervention for this patient?
Contact the surgeon to obtain orders for a nebulizer treatment from respiratory therapy.
Provide the patient with a heating pad alternated with a cold pack for incisional pain.
Medicate with opioids for pain and assist the patient to deep breathe, cough, and ambulate.
Contact the surgeon to request a chest x-ray and a laboratory draw for CBC with differential.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Contact the surgeon to obtain orders for a nebulizer treatment from respiratory therapy. A nebulizer is typically not the initial intervention for mild post-operative pain or mild respiratory discomfort due to pain with inspiration.
B. Provide the patient with a heating pad alternated with a cold pack for incisional pain. While heat or cold therapy can help with pain, opioid pain management with encouragement to perform deep breathing exercises is more effective for post-splenectomy patients.
C. Medicate with opioids for pain and assist the patient to deep breathe, cough, and ambulate. Pain management combined with encouraging deep breathing, coughing, and early ambulation helps prevent post-operative complications like atelectasis and pneumonia, which are common after abdominal surgeries.
D. Contact the surgeon to request a chest x-ray and a laboratory draw for CBC with differential. This intervention might be necessary if there were signs of infection or other complications, but mild pain with inspiration on the first day post-op does not typically warrant imaging or labs.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Activity intolerance related to tissue hypoxia: Pernicious anemia leads to a decrease in the body’s ability to carry oxygen due to a lack of intrinsic factor and subsequent vitamin B12 deficiency, resulting in tissue hypoxia. This can cause fatigue and activity intolerance as the body struggles to meet its oxygen demands.
B. Ineffective airway clearance related to dyspnea: Dyspnea may occur, but ineffective airway clearance is not directly related to pernicious anemia, as this condition primarily affects oxygen transport, not the airway.
C. Risk for infection related to reduction in white blood cells (WBCs): Pernicious anemia primarily affects red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency; it does not typically lead to a reduction in white blood cells.
D. Chronic pain related to bone marrow dysfunction: While bone marrow may be affected in some anemias, chronic pain is not a typical symptom of pernicious anemia, and bone marrow dysfunction is not usually present.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Explain the procedure to the patient’s family: While helpful, this is not as crucial as ensuring patient comfort and pain management during the procedure itself.
B. Observe the patient for bleeding: Observing for bleeding is important post-procedure rather than beforehand.
C. Drape the biopsy site: Draping is part of the procedure setup, but pain management is more critical for patient preparation.
D. Administer an analgesic to the patient: Administering an analgesic is essential to manage pain and discomfort during a bone marrow biopsy. This ensures the patient is as comfortable as possible.