ATI Exit Exam Practice Questions Related

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A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following an open cholecystectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

  • A. Monitor the client's urinary output.
  • B. Assist the client to splint the incision with a pillow when coughing.
  • C. Provide the client with a clear liquid diet.
  • D. Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Assisting the client to splint the incision with a pillow while coughing is the correct action in this scenario. This intervention helps reduce pain and prevent wound dehiscence, which is the partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical wound. Monitoring urinary output is important but not the priority at this immediate postoperative stage. Providing a clear liquid diet may be indicated later but is not the most immediate concern. Encouraging ambulation is beneficial for preventing complications like deep vein thrombosis, but splinting the incision is more crucial at this early postoperative period.