Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam Related

Review Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam related questions and content

A patient who received spinal anesthesia four hours ago during surgery is transferred to the surgical unit and, after 90 minutes, now reports severe incisional pain. The patient's blood pressure is 170/90 mmHg, pulse is 108 beats/min, temperature is 99oF (37.2oC), and respirations are 30 breaths/min. The patient's skin is pale, and the surgical dressing is dry and intact. The most appropriate nursing intervention is to

  • A. medicate the patient for pain.
  • B. place the patient in a high Fowler position and administer oxygen.
  • C. place the patient in a reverse Trendelenburg position and open the IV line.
  • D. report the findings to the provider.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should report these findings to the provider because the patient may be experiencing complications such as hypertension or hypovolemia.