The nurse is assessing the postoperative client on the second postoperative day. Which assessment finding requires immediate physician notification?

A) The client has an absence of bowel sounds.
B) The client's lungs reveal rales in the bases.
C) The client states a moderate amount of pain at the incisional site.
D) A moderate amount of serous drainage is noted on the operative dressing.


A
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A nursing assessment finding of concern on the second postoperative day is the absence of bowel sounds, which may indicate a paralytic ileus. Other assessment findings may include abdominal pain and distention as fluids, solids, and gas do not move through the intestinal tract. Rales in the bases are a frequent finding postoperatively, especially if general anesthesia was administered. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe. Pain is a common symptom following a surgical procedure. Serous drainage on the postoperative dressing needs to monitored and brought to the physician's attention when he or she assesses the client.

Nursing

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