Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hr postoperative following a total vaginal hysterectomy.

Nurses' Notes:
2000:
Client reports pain as 3 on a scale of 0 to 10. Breath sounds clear and present throughout. Three abdominal bandages to abdomen, dry and intact with no drainage noted. Client voided 90 mL of clear-yellow urine into bedpan. Perineal pad with a small amount of blood, no clots; perineal pad changed at this time.

Answer 1

In this case, the patient is receiving postoperative care after a total vaginal hysterectomy, with particular emphasis on pain management, monitoring of surgical sites and bandages, urine output, and perineal pad condition to prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Postoperative Care Following a Hysterectomy. The presented case describes the postoperative care of a patient who is four hours post total vaginal hysterectomy. The care entails monitoring and documenting vital signs, pain levels, breath sounds, condition of abdominal bandages, urine output, and the state of perineal pad. It is critical to assess for signs of infection, hemorrhage, and other complications after a hysterectomy. The patient's reported pain level is relatively low (3 on a scale of 0 to 10), suggesting that pain management is currently effective. Breath sounds being clear with no drainage from abdominal bandages indicate no immediate respiratory or surgical site complications. An output of 90 mL of urine is low and should be monitored for potential urinary retention. The perineal pad displays a small amount of blood with no clots, which is expected post-surgery. Changing the perineal pad provides an opportunity to assess for signs of excessive bleeding or other abnormalities.