Final answer:
The priority intervention when caring for a client in the immediate postoperative period after a gastric resection for peptic ulcer disease is to monitor for signs of bleeding or hemorrhage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority intervention when caring for a client in the immediate postoperative period after a gastric resection for peptic ulcer disease is to monitor for signs of bleeding or hemorrhage.
The surgery involves removing a portion of the stomach or the duodenum, which can result in bleeding due to surgical incisions or anastomosis sites.
In order to identify signs of bleeding, the nurse should assess vital signs regularly, check the surgical site for any signs of blood loss, monitor the client's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and observe for symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or tarry stools.