Final answer:
A Patient Care Technician should encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises after a total abdominal hysterectomy. The PCT collaborates with the healthcare team but does not usually administer medication or make decisions on patient mobilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient has undergone a total abdominal hysterectomy and has just returned to the hospital room from the recovery room, a Patient Care Technician (PCT) should prioritize a few key actions to ensure proper postoperative care. Firstly, the PCT should encourage deep breathing exercises to help prevent atelectasis and pneumonia, which can occur following anesthesia and abdominal surgery. Additionally, the PCT might assist with ambulation to prevent blood clots, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a common risk after any major surgery due to prolonged bed rest and decreased mobility. However, it is essential to follow the specific instructions provided by the surgical team regarding when and how to start ambulating the patient post-surgery. Lastly, while administrative tasks such as administering pain medication are typically outside the scope of a PCT’s duties, the PCT can assist in ensuring the patient is comfortable and alert the nursing staff if the patient is in pain so they can administer pain medication as ordered. It is important for the PCT to collaborate closely with the nurse and other members of the healthcare team to provide comprehensive care. The correct answer to the question of what actions the PCT should take is A) Encourage deep breathing exercises, as the PCT typically would not administer medications or make decisions on patient mobilization without guidance from the nursing staff or doctors.