Question

A nurse is caring for a postoperative client following abdominal surgery. Click to highlight the assessment findings below that the nurse should report to the provider.

A) Increased incisional drainage.
B) Normal bowel sounds.
C) Body temperature within the normal range.
D) Mild swelling around the incision site.

Answer 1

The nurse should report the assessment finding of increased incisional drainage to the provider. Normal bowel sounds and body temperature within the normal range are expected findings after abdominal surgery. Mild swelling around the incision site is common and may not require immediate attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report the assessment finding of increased incisional drainage to the provider. Increased drainage from the incision site can indicate infection or a breakdown in the healing process. This finding should be reported to the provider so that appropriate treatment can be implemented.

The normal bowel sounds and body temperature within the normal range are expected findings after abdominal surgery, so they do not need to be reported. Mild swelling around the incision site is also common after surgery and may not require immediate attention, but the nurse should monitor it for any signs of worsening.