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On the second postoperative day, a client reports increasing abdominal pain. Which of the following assessment findings might support this complaint?

a) Elevated body temperature
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Decreased blood pressure
d) Increased appetite

1 Answer

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Final answer:

An elevated body temperature might support a client's complaint of increasing abdominal pain on the second postoperative day, as it could signify an inflammatory or infectious process. Other findings like altered heart rate or changes in appetite may not be directly related to postoperative abdominal pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client reporting increasing abdominal pain on the second postoperative day may have certain assessment findings that support this complaint. One possible indicator of postoperative complications or infection is an elevated body temperature, which can suggest an inflammatory or infectious process. In contrast, a decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, or increased appetite might not be directly related to increasing abdominal pain in the postoperative context.

For instance, Patient B has symptoms including weight loss, profuse sweating, an increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping, which may be indicative of other conditions but are not directly related to postoperative abdominal pain. When considering oxygen transfer to tissues, which is not the main focus in this scenario, decreased body temperature, increased carbon dioxide, and decreased pH of the blood can impact it negatively; exercise would generally increase oxygen transfer.

In a clinical scenario like Roberta's, who experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain and high fever following surgery, these could suggest a possible infection potentially worsened by the introduction of bacteria through instruments like a duodenoscope.

User Renato Pereira
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