Question

After receiving change-of-shift report about these postoperative patients, which patient should the nurse assess first?

a. Obese patient who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago and whose wound edges are separating
b. Patient who has 30 mL of sanguineous drainage in the wound drain 10 hours after hip replacement surgery
c. Patient who has bibasilar crackles and a temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) on the first postoperative day after chest surgery
d. Patient who continues to have incisional pain 15 minutes after hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin) administration

Answer 1

The nurse should assess the patient with bibasilar crackles and a temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) on the first postoperative day after chest surgery first.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should assess the patient with bibasilar crackles and a temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) on the first postoperative day after chest surgery first. Bibasilar crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs, which could indicate a pneumonia or respiratory distress. The elevated temperature is also a sign of infection. This patient requires immediate assessment and intervention to prevent further complications.