Question

The nurse is caring for a patient after kidney surgery. The nurse is aware that bleeding is a major complication of kidney surgery and that if it goes undetected and untreated can result in hypovolemia and hemorrhagic shock in the patient. When assessing for bleeding, what assessment parameter should the nurse evaluate?

A) Oral intake
B) Pain intensity
C) Level of consciousness
D) Radiation of pain

Answer 1

The nurse should assess the patient's level of consciousness to evaluate for potential bleeding after kidney surgery, as changes may indicate hypovolemia and shock.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing for potential bleeding after kidney surgery, the nurse should evaluate the patient's level of consciousness(C). Since bleeding can result in hypovolemia and hemorrhagic shock, monitoring the level of consciousness can be indicative of circulatory compromise due to insufficient oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain.

Additionally, other signs of circulatory shock should be observed. These include an increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, dramatically reduced urine output, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Any significant deviation in these parameters may signal the onset of hypovolemic shock requiring urgent intervention.

If bleeding goes undetected and untreated, it can result in a decrease in blood volume, leading to a decrease in oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues and ultimately affecting the patient's level of consciousness.