A client who had surgery for shoulder dislocation is moved to the postoperative nursing care unit. Which nursing step must the nurse perform when providing immediate postoperative care to the client?

Question

A) Avoid cleaning and changing the client's dressing.
B) Allow the client's family members to see the client before beginning assessment.
C) Position the client's feet in Trendelenburg's position.
D) Splint the area over the incision with a pillow or blanket.

Answer 1

A
Feedback:
The dressing may be reinforced but must not be changed by the nurse, because removing the dressing might upset the suture line. Moreover, the surgeon should do the first dressing change after the procedure. The nurse should notify the client's family that the client is back in the nursing unit only after settling the client in the bed, recording the vital signs, and executing all the orders. The family can then spend a few minutes beside the client's bed. Placing the client in Trendelenburg's position is indicated only if the client has gone into shock, because doing so would drain blood from the feet and legs and increase blood supply to the brain and central organs. Splinting the incision area is usually done for clients who have had abdominal surgeries, to assist in reducing the pain when coughing.