Final answer:
Post-operative clients will typically have lung and bowel sounds, though these may be altered due to the effects of anesthesia and surgical trauma. A slight increase in temperature post-operation is normal, but a significant fever may indicate complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical post-operative client will often have some expected changes in their clinical signs, including the presence or absence of certain bodily sounds and other physiological indicators.
- Lung sounds - A post-operative client should typically have lung sounds, which may be assessed by auscultation. However, depending on the type of surgery and anesthesia used, lung sounds might be diminished, and there is a risk for atelectasis or other complications that could alter lung sounds.
- Bowel sounds - These may be absent or diminished initially after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia on the smooth muscle of the intestines, slowing peristalsis. Monitoring for the return of bowel sounds is an important part of post-operative care.
- Increased temperature - A slight increase in temperature is common after surgery, often due to the body's inflammatory response to the surgical trauma. However, a significant fever could indicate infection or other complications.
Hence, while specifics can vary with each patient, the general expectation is that a typical post-operative client will exhibit changes in lung and bowel sounds along with potential variations in body temperature.