A nurse is planning postoperative care for an adolescent following scoliosis repair with spinal instrumentation. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Maintain the head of the bed at a 30° angle.
- B. Offer sips of water due to having surgery.
- C. Log roll the adolescent every 2 hours.
- D. Assist the adolescent to ambulate 12 hours following surgery.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Log roll the adolescent every 2 hours. This is important to prevent pressure ulcers and maintain spinal alignment post-surgery. Log-rolling involves turning the patient as a unit to avoid twisting the spine. Maintaining the head of the bed at a 30° angle (choice A) is important for respiratory function but not specific to spinal surgery. Offering sips of water (choice B) is generally appropriate after surgery but not specific to spinal instrumentation. Assisting the adolescent to ambulate (choice D) should be done gradually and with caution, typically starting with sitting on the bedside first, rather than a fixed time frame like 12 hours post-surgery.
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The nurse is continuing to care for the child. The nurse should anticipate a prescription for pain medication.
- A. Skin traction
- B. Surgical consultation
- C. Antibiotics
- D. Pain medication
- E. Limb immobilization
- F. Bed rest
Correct Answer: B,D
Rationale: The correct answers are B and D. A surgical consultation (B) may be needed to address the underlying cause of the child's pain. Pain medication (D) is essential to provide comfort and manage the child's pain. Skin traction (A) and limb immobilization (E) are interventions for orthopedic issues, not for immediate pain relief. Antibiotics (C) are not indicated unless there is an infection. Bed rest (F) is not a proactive measure for pain management.
A nurse is caring for an infant who has necrotizing enterocolitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Rounded abdomen
- C. Vomiting
- D. Tachypnea
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: The correct answer is B, C, and D. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants commonly presents with a rounded abdomen due to abdominal distension (B). Vomiting (C) is also a common symptom associated with NEC. Tachypnea (D) may occur due to abdominal distension and sepsis. Hypertension (A) is not typically associated with NEC in infants. The other choices are not provided, but based on typical NEC symptoms, they would not be expected in a patient with this condition.
A nurse is providing teaching about home safety to the adult child of an older adult client who is postoperative following knee replacement surgery. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Encourage the client to avoid wearing shoes at home.
- B. Ensure that area rugs have rubber backs.
- C. Mark the edges of the doorway to the house with tape.
- D. Place a throw rug over electrical cords.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ensure that area rugs have rubber backs. This instruction is important to prevent slips and falls, especially for an older adult recovering from knee replacement surgery. Rubber-backed rugs provide traction and stability, reducing the risk of accidents. Encouraging the client to avoid wearing shoes at home (A) may increase the risk of slipping on smooth surfaces. Marking the edges of the doorway with tape (C) may not be effective and could create a tripping hazard. Placing a throw rug over electrical cords (D) is unsafe as it can cause the older adult to trip.
A nurse is planning care for a school-age child who is 4 hr postoperative following appendicitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Apply a warm compress to the operative site once daily.
- B. Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hr.
- C. Give cromolyn nebulized solution every 8 hr.
- D. Offer small amounts of clear liquids 6 hr following surgery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hr. This is essential postoperatively to manage pain effectively and improve the child's comfort level. Pain management is crucial in the early stages following surgery to prevent complications and aid in the child's recovery. Applying a warm compress (choice A) may not be appropriate for the surgical site and could potentially cause harm. Giving cromolyn nebulized solution (choice C) is not indicated for pain management postoperatively. Offering clear liquids (choice D) too soon after surgery could increase the risk of complications such as nausea, vomiting, or aspiration.
The nurse is continuing to care for the child. Select the 3 priority actions that the nurse should take.
- A. Review cast care instructions with the child's parents
- B. Administer ibuprofen 200 mg PO
- C. Place a nonadherent dressing on the right knee abrasion.
- D. Explain the cast application procedure to the child.
- E. Apply ice packs to the fingers and along the right forearm.
- F. Elevate the affected forearm with pillows.
Correct Answer: A,B,F
Rationale: The correct answers are A, B, and F. A) Reviewing cast care instructions with the child's parents ensures proper care at home. B) Administering ibuprofen helps manage pain and inflammation. F) Elevating the affected forearm reduces swelling. Choices C, D, and E are incorrect because C) placing a nonadherent dressing is not a priority over cast care, D) explaining cast application to the child is not essential for ongoing care, and E) applying ice packs to fingers and forearm is not as crucial as administering pain relief and elevating the affected area.