Question

The nurse is monitoring a client who has just undergone radical neck dissection. The nurse notes that the client’s blood pressure has dropped

from 132/84 to 90/50 mm Hg and that the pulse has increased from 78 to 96 beats/min. On the basis of these findings, what should the nurse immediately do?
-Suction the client
-Obtain a pulse oximeter
- Contact the primary health care provider
- Increase the rate of the client’s intravenous (IV) solution

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately contact the primary health care provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the findings of a drop in blood pressure and an increased pulse rate after a radical neck dissection, the nurse should immediately contact the primary health care provider. These changes could indicate hypovolemia, which is a decrease in blood volume. The provider may need to evaluate the client's condition and make necessary interventions, such as fluid replacement, to stabilize the blood pressure and pulse rate.