Question

A client who had a right hip replacement 3 day ago is pale has diminished breath sound over the left lower lung fields, a temperature of 100.2 F, and an oxygen saturation rate of 90%. The client is scheduled to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) tomorrow for rehabilitative critical pathway. Based on the client's symptoms, what recommendation should the nurse give the healthcare provider?

Answer 1

The nurse should recommend that the healthcare provider evaluate the client for possible pneumonia or respiratory infection. The client's symptoms suggest respiratory distress and the presence of pneumonia, which requires further diagnostic tests and treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the client's symptoms, the nurse should recommend that the healthcare provider evaluate the client for possible pneumonia or respiratory infection. The client's pale color, diminished breath sounds over the left lower lung fields, elevated temperature, and low oxygen saturation rate indicate potential respiratory distress. It is important to rule out pneumonia as it can be life-threatening, especially in elderly individuals who are immobile due to hip replacement surgery.

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It commonly presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. The crackling sound heard during auscultation and the greenish color of the sputum sample further suggest the possibility of pneumonia.

The healthcare provider should be notified of these symptoms and additional diagnostic tests, such as a chest x-ray and sputum culture, should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate course of treatment, which may include antibiotics.