The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client after a lumbar laminectomy. For which complication does the nurse instruct the client to return to the hospital?
a. Pain at the incision site
b. Decreased appetite
c. Slight redness and itching at the incision site
d. Clear drainage from the incision site
D
The finding of clear fluid on the dressing after a laminectomy strongly suggests a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which constitutes an emergency. The client has in increased risk of meningitis with a spinal fluid leak. Pain, redness, and itching at the site are normal. The client should be encour-aged to eat a healthy diet but does not need to return to the hospital for a decreased appetite.
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