Question

A postoperative client has not voided for 8 hours (since surgery). He is restless and reports abdominal pain. How and what would the nurse assess before administering pain medications?

a) Check database for last bowel movement.
b) Palpate abdomen for distended bladder.
c) Percuss abdomen for sounds of tympany.
d) Auscultate abdomen for bowel sounds.

Answer 1

The nurse should assess for a distended bladder before administering pain medications to a postoperative client who has not voided for 8 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering pain medications to a postoperative client who has not voided for 8 hours and is experiencing restlessness and abdominal pain, the nurse should assess for signs of a distended bladder. This can be done by palpating the abdomen. A distended bladder can cause abdominal pain and may indicate urinary retention. If the bladder is found to be distended, the nurse would need to address the urinary retention issue before administering pain medications.

In this case, option b) Palpate abdomen for distended bladder is the correct answer.