Final answer:
Before a school-aged child begins ambulation following an abdominal appendectomy, administering the prescribed pain medication is the most effective nursing action. Pain control facilitates easier movement and recovery post-surgery. so, option D is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The day after undergoing abdominal appendectomy, a school-aged child is prepared for ambulation. The most effective nursing action before the start of ambulation is administering the prescribed pain medication. Pain management is crucial for effective ambulation because it allows the patient to move more easily and facilitates healing by decreasing discomfort and stress on the body. Ensuring the child is not in excessive pain will encourage the patient to participate in necessary physical activity without significant discomfort.
Additionally, ambulation after surgery helps prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia. While encouraging use of the spirometer is important, especially for pulmonary health, and providing a rest period and offering a reward for walking may be helpful strategies, they are not as immediate or critical as pain management for the initial ambulation. The surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional often discuss and review the key concerns for the recovery and care of the patient together, and effective pain control is commonly among these concerns.