This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: When caring for a patient the second postoperative day after abdominal surgery for removal of a ... (Read 124 times)

RYAN BANYAN

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 563
When caring for a patient the second postoperative day after abdominal surgery for removal of a large pancreatic cyst, the nurse obtains an oral temperature of 100.8 F. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Have the patient use the incentive spirometer.
  b. Assess the surgical incision for redness and swelling.
  c. Administer the ordered PRN acetaminophen (Tylenol).
  d. Ask the health care provider to prescribe a different antibiotic.

Question 2

The nurse assesses that the oxygen saturation is 89 in an unconscious patient who was transferred from surgery to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) 15 minutes ago. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Elevate the patient's head.
  b. Suction the patient's mouth.
  c. Increase the oxygen flow rate.
  d. Perform the jaw-thrust maneuver.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

Bison

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 342
Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
A temperature of 100.8 F in the first 48 hours is usually caused by atelectasis, and the nurse should have the patient cough and deep breathe. This problem may be resolved by nursing intervention, and therefore notifying the health care provider is not necessary. Acetaminophen will reduce the temperature, but it will not resolve the underlying respiratory congestion. Because a wound infection does not usually occur before the third postoperative day, a wound infection is not a likely source of the elevated temperature.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
In an unconscious postoperative patient, a likely cause of hypoxemia is airway obstruction by the tongue, and the first action is to clear the airway by maneuvers such as the jaw thrust or chin lift. Increasing the oxygen flow rate and suctioning are not helpful when the airway is obstructed by the tongue. Elevating the patient's head will not be effective in correcting the obstruction but may help with oxygenation after the patient is awake.




Bison

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 342

 

Did you know?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis syndrome are life-threatening reactions that can result in death. Complications include permanent blindness, dry-eye syndrome, lung damage, photophobia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, permanent loss of nail beds, scarring of mucous membranes, arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many patients' pores scar shut, causing them to retain heat.

Did you know?

Patients should never assume they are being given the appropriate drugs. They should make sure they know which drugs are being prescribed, and always double-check that the drugs received match the prescription.

Did you know?

Many of the drugs used by neuroscientists are derived from toxic plants and venomous animals (such as snakes, spiders, snails, and puffer fish).

Did you know?

Chronic marijuana use can damage the white blood cells and reduce the immune system's ability to respond to disease by as much as 40%. Without a strong immune system, the body is vulnerable to all kinds of degenerative and infectious diseases.

Did you know?

About 3% of all pregnant women will give birth to twins, which is an increase in rate of nearly 60% since the early 1980s.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library