The nurse notes serosanguinous drainage from the nasogastric tube in the immediate postoperative period of a client who had a gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Which nursing action is appropriate?
Measure abdominal girth.
Continue to monitor the drainage.
Notify the physician.
Irrigate the nasogastric tube.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Measuring abdominal girth may be relevant for assessing potential complications like abdominal distention, but it is not the immediate priority in response to serosanguinous drainage from the nasogastric tube.
B. Continuing to monitor the drainage is appropriate, as serosanguinous fluid is common immediately after surgery and may gradually change as healing progresses. Monitoring allows for the identification of any changes that may require further intervention.
C. Notifying the physician may be necessary if the drainage increases or changes significantly, but immediate action is to observe and assess the drainage trend.
D. Irrigating the nasogastric tube is not warranted unless there is an obstruction or significant change in the drainage; it should only be done based on specific orders or protocols.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contributing to the medical diagnosis is a secondary goal for nursing care. The nurse's primary role is to ensure patient safety and prevent complications such as falls, which are more likely in patients with sensory and motor impairments.
B. While establishing a baseline for future comparison is important, it is not the most immediate concern. The nurse's priority is preventing falls and injury related to the impairment.
C. The priority in this case is to protect the client from falls or injury, as impaired motor and sensory function in the lower extremities increases the risk for accidents. Preventing injury will guide the development of the care plan, such as implementing fall precautions.
D. Anticipating other neurologic deficits is valuable but not the most urgent concern compared to protecting the client from the immediate risk of falls.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Stomatitis is a common side effect of radiation therapy for oral cancer, and while it requires management, it is not immediately life-threatening.
B. Stridor indicates potential airway obstruction, which is a critical and urgent condition that requires immediate intervention, making it the greatest concern among the options presented.
C. Nausea is a typical side effect of cancer treatment but is usually manageable and not considered an immediate threat.
D. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is another common side effect of radiation to the head and neck, but it is not as urgent as the risk of airway compromise indicated by stridor.