Question

A post-operative client with a sutured abdominal incision felt a sharp abdominal pain after having a bowel movement. Upon inspection, the nurse notices bowel protruding from the incision site. What does the nurse tell the physician about the event?

a) "The client is experiencing an evisceration."
b) "The client has a hernia."
c) "The incision has dehisced."
d) "The client has a seroma."

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the physician that the client is experiencing an evisceration, which refers to the protrusion of the bowel from the incision site. Evisceration is a surgical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should inform the physician that the client is experiencing an evisceration, which refers to the protrusion of the bowel from the incision site. Evisceration is a surgical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

In comparison, a hernia is the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in the surrounding muscle or tissue, and a sutured abdominal incision should not result in a hernia.

Dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical incision, and while it can lead to evisceration, it is not the appropriate term to describe the current situation.

A seroma is a collection of fluid that can occur following surgery, but it does not involve the protrusion of bowel.