HESI CAT Exam Test Bank Related

Review HESI CAT Exam Test Bank related questions and content

The nurse identifies the presence of clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a client who just returned to the unit following lumbar spinal surgery. What action should the nurse implement immediately?

  • A. Change the dressing using a compression bandage
  • B. Test fluid on the dressing for glucose
  • C. Document the findings in the electronic medical record
  • D. Mark drainage area with a pen and continue to monitor
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement immediately upon identifying clear fluid on the surgical dressing post-lumbar surgery is to test the fluid for glucose. Clear fluid could indicate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, and testing for glucose can help confirm this. Changing the dressing using a compression bandage (Choice A) without further assessment could lead to complications. Documenting the findings (Choice C) is important but not as immediate as confirming the presence of CSF. Marking the drainage area with a pen and monitoring (Choice D) does not address the need for immediate confirmation of CSF leakage.