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A nurse is caring for a client who underwent a right below the knee amputation yesterday. Which of the following should the nurse report to the provider immediately?

1) Redness of the incision site
2) WBC count of 10,000
3) Blood glucose 200 mg/dL
4) Quarter size spot of blood on dressing

User Arry
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The nurse should report a quarter-sized spot of blood on the dressing immediately post-amputation, as it could indicate a complication, although managing a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL is also important.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client who has undergone a right below-the-knee amputation, it is crucial to monitor the client for any signs of complications that may require immediate medical attention. From the options listed, the nurse should report a quarter-sized spot of blood on the dressing to the provider immediately. While a certain amount of redness is expected post-surgery and a white blood cell (WBC) count of 10,000 is within normal limits, the presence of a quarter-sized spot of blood may indicate bleeding that could lead to a hematoma, infection, or other complications. The blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL, although elevated, especially for a diabetic patient like the one in the clinical focus scenarios, is not as immediately concerning as active bleeding, but should still be addressed as part of the patient's ongoing care.

User VAS
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