Question

A nurse is caring for four postoperative clients. The nurse can delegate obtaining vital signs to an assistive personnel (AP) for which of the following clients?

A) A client who is 1 hr postoperative following a thyroidectomy
B) A client who is 2 hr postoperative following an abdominal hysterectomy
C) A client who is 3 days postoperative following gastric bypass surgery
D) A client who is 3 days postoperative following a craniotomy

Answer 1

The nurse can delegate vital sign checks to an assistive personnel for the client 3 days postoperative following gastric bypass surgery, as they should be the most stable compared to clients who are within the first few hours postoperative.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse can delegate obtaining vital signs to an assistive personnel (AP) for the client who is 3 days postoperative following gastric bypass surgery (Option C). This client is likely to be the most stable of the four, as they are further along in their postoperative recovery period. Clients who are immediately postoperative, such as those within the first few hours after a thyroidectomy, abdominal hysterectomy, or a craniotomy, typically require closer monitoring by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse due to the higher risk of complications that can arise during this critical period.