Nokea
The nurse is caring for the surgical client during the first 24 hours after an abdominal-perineal resection. Which action should be priority?
- A. Provide a diet that is low in residue
- B. Check the colostomy bag for stool amount
- C. Assess the perineal dressing for drainage
- D. Encourage the client to see the colostomy site
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The perineal incision must be examined frequently to assess for drainage and the need for dressing changes.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is assigned to four clients who were diagnosed with gastric ulcers. Which client should be the nurse’s priority when monitoring for GI bleeding?
- A. The 40-year-old client who is positive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
- B. The 45-year-old client who drinks 4 ounces of alcohol a day
- C. The 70-year-old client who takes daily baby aspirin of 81 mg
- D. The 30-year-old pregnant client taking acetaminophen prn
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A. The presence of H. pylori has not been proven to predispose to GI bleeding. B. Although alcohol is associated with gastric mucosal injury, its causative role in bleeding is unclear. C. It is most important for the nurse to monitor the 70-year-old client who is taking aspirin. The client has two risk factors for GI bleeding: age and taking aspirin. D. Pregnancy and acetaminophen usage do not predispose to GI bleeding.
The client who has had a hemorrhoidectomy wants to know why she cannot take a sitz bath immediately upon return from the operating room. The nurse's response is based on which of the following concepts?
- A. Heat can stimulate bowel movement too quickly after surgery.
- B. Clients are generally not awake enough for several hours to safely take sitz baths.
- C. Heat applied immediately postoperatively increases the possibility of hemorrhage.
- D. Sitting in water before the sutures are removed may cause infection.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heat increases blood flow, raising the risk of hemorrhage immediately post-hemorrhoidectomy.
The nurse caring for a client one (1) day postoperative sigmoid resection notes a moderate amount of dark reddish brown drainage on the midline abdominal incision. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Mark the drainage on the dressing with the time and date.
- B. Change the dressing immediately using sterile technique.
- C. Notify the health-care provider immediately.
- D. Reinforce the dressing with a sterile gauze pad.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dark reddish brown drainage one day post-surgery suggests possible bleeding or dehiscence, warranting immediate notification of the HCP for evaluation. Marking or reinforcing the dressing delays action, and changing the dressing is secondary.
The male client tells the nurse he has been experiencing 'heartburn' at night that awakens him. Which assessment question should the nurse ask?
- A. How much weight have you gained recently?
- B. What have you done to alleviate the heartburn?
- C. Do you consume many milk and dairy products?
- D. Have you been around anyone with a stomach virus?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking what the client has done to alleviate the heartburn helps the nurse understand the severity, triggers, and any self-management strategies, which are critical for assessing GERD. Weight gain, dairy consumption, or exposure to a stomach virus are less directly related to the immediate assessment of heartburn symptoms.
The client presents to the emergency department experiencing frequent watery, bloody stools after eating some undercooked meat at a fast-food restaurant. Which intervention should be implemented first?
- A. Obtain a stool sample from the client.
- B. Initiate antibiotic therapy intravenously.
- C. Have the laboratory draw a complete blood count.
- D. Administer the antidiarrheal medication Lomotil.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drawing a CBC assesses for infection or anemia due to bloody stools, guiding treatment. Stool samples, antibiotics, and antidiarrheals follow assessment.