Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. When the nurse prepares to change her dressing, she says, "Every time you change my bandage, it hurts so much." Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority action?

A. Administer a prescribed analgesic
B. Change the dressing quickly
C. Apply a topical anesthetic to the wound
D. Tell the client that some pain is expected

Answer 1

Increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion has been cleaned and bandaged can be signs of infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a wound is cleaned and bandaged, it is important to watch for increased redness, swelling, and pain because these can be signs of infection. Infections can occur when bacteria enter the wound and multiply, causing an inflammatory response. Increased redness, swelling, and pain can indicate that the body's immune system is responding to the infection. If left untreated, the infection can worsen and lead to complications.