Question

The client has surgery for removal of a prolactinoma. Which of the following interventions would be appropriate for this client?

Place the client in Trendelenburg position for postural drainage.
Encourage coughing and deep breathing every two hours.
Elevate the head of the bed 30°.
Encourage the client to gently blow the nose every two hours to remove secretions.

Answer 1

After pituitary surgery for prolactinoma removal, the appropriate interventions include elevating the head of the bed 30° and encouraging coughing and deep breathing every two hours to prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a client who has had surgery for the removal of a prolactinoma, it is appropriate to elevate the head of the bed 30° to promote venous return and reduce swelling, while also minimizing the risk of increased intracranial pressure. Placing the client in Trendelenburg position is not typically recommended as it can increase intracranial pressure. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing every two hours is a standard postoperative procedure that helps prevent atelectasis and pneumonia. However, encouraging the client to gently blow the nose every two hours to remove secretions is not recommended after pituitary surgery because it can increase pressure in the head and potentially disrupt the surgical site.