Question

A nurse is taking care of a client during the immediate postoperative period. Which of the following duties performed during the immediate postoperative period is most important?

a. Ensure the safe recovery of surgical clients
b. Monitor the client for complications
c. Prepare a room for the client's return
d. Assess the client's health constantly

Answer 1

The primary duty of a nurse during the immediate postoperative period is to monitor the client for complications, supporting a safe recovery and facilitating timely intervention for any arising issues. the correct option is b. Monitor the client for complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important duty of a nurse during the immediate postoperative period is to monitor the client for complications. This critical role encompasses close observation of the patient's vital signs, ensuring the patient's safe recovery, and being vigilant for any signs of distress or aberrations from the expected recovery process. The nurse must be intimately familiar with the patient's history and the specifics of the surgery, including anticipated blood loss and the surgical site.

Additionally, the nurse works under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, with the responsibility of assessing and responding to patient needs. This includes preparing the room for the patient’s return, ensuring that prophylactic antibiotics have been administered correctly, and confirming that all essential imaging results are available and displayed.