Question

The nurse assesses a patient who had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago. Which information about the patient is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

a. The right calf is swollen, warm, and painful.
b. The patient's temperature is 100.3° F (37.9° C).
c. The 24-hour oral intake is 600 mL greater than the total output.
d. The patient complains of abdominal pain at level 6 (0 to 10 scale) when ambulating.

Answer 1

The most critical information to communicate is the presence of a swollen, warm, and painful right calf, which are signs of a possible deep vein thrombosis, a condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important information to communicate to the health care provider is a. The right calf is swollen, warm, and painful. This could indicate the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious complication that can occur after surgery. The patient's symptoms of a swollen, warm, and painful calf are classic signs of DVT, and this condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent further complications such as a pulmonary embolism.

The patient's temperature of 100.3° F (37.9° C), while it should be monitored, is not as immediately concerning as the signs of a possible DVT. Similarly, a 24-hour oral intake being 600 mL greater than the total output could be due to various factors and would require monitoring and further assessment. The complaint of abdominal pain at level 6 when ambulating is expected after a hysterectomy and can be managed with pain relief measures. However, the potential DVT in the right calf is the most critical issue to address urgently.