Question

a client who had an incision and drainage of an oral abscess is to be discharged. for which clinical finding, if it should occur, should the nurse instruct the client to notify the health care provider?

Answer 1

Post-discharge, a client who had an incision and drainage of an oral abscess should alert the healthcare provider if they notice recurring pus, increased swelling, fever, worsening pain, or redness, which could signify a worsening infection needing quick intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client who had an incision and drainage of an oral abscess should be advised to notify the healthcare provider if they experience certain clinical findings post-discharge.

These potentially concerning signs include the recurrence of any purulent drainage, increased swelling, fever, worsening pain, or redness around the incision site. These symptoms could indicate a persistent or worsening infection requiring further medical intervention.

For instance, if an abscess continues to discharge pus or the area becomes more inflamed, these could be signs of a more severe bacterial infection, such as the ones depicted in cases of necrotizing fasciitis or sepsis exemplified by Barbara's condition, which requires prompt medical treatment.

Similarly, if the patient develops systemic symptoms such as fever or chills, these may suggest the infection is spreading beyond the local site, necessitating urgent medical care.