Question

What must be assessed prior to the application of an abdominal binder?

1 Effective coughing
2 Circulation
3 Skin integrity
4 Ability for deep breathing
5 Wound drainage

Answer 1

Prior to applying an abdominal binder, it is crucial to assess effective coughing, circulation, skin integrity, and wound drainage. Monitoring for signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, and pain is also essential to prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering what must be assessed prior to the application of an abdominal binder, it is essential to ensure patient safety and the effectiveness of the binder. The key factors to assess include:

• Effective coughing and the ability for deep breathing to ensure that respiratory functions are not compromised.
• Circulation to determine that the binder will not impede blood flow or cause further complications.
• Skin integrity to prevent any skin damage or exacerbation of existing conditions.
• Wound drainage, especially for post-surgical patients, to ensure that the binder doesn’t interfere with healing.

In addition to these assessments, it's also important to monitor for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion is cleaned and bandaged. Observing these symptoms can indicate that an infection is developing, which may require medical intervention to prevent further complications.