The highest priority nursing intervention for a client who is postoperative day 3 after surgical repair of an open abdominal wound and traumatic amputation of the right lower leg following a motorcycle crash would be to assess and manage their pain.
Pain management is critical in postoperative care to promote the client's comfort and facilitate their recovery. In this case, the client has undergone a major surgery involving multiple traumatic injuries, and they may be experiencing significant pain as a result. Uncontrolled pain can also lead to other complications, such as anxiety, depression, decreased mobility, and delayed wound healing.
Therefore, the nurse should assess the client's pain level regularly and provide appropriate pain relief interventions, such as administering analgesics, applying heat or cold therapy, or using relaxation techniques. The nurse should also monitor the client for any adverse effects of pain medication and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Ensuring effective pain management can help to promote the client's comfort and facilitate their recovery after surgery.