The nurse is planning care for a postoperative client. Which is the best intervention to include in the care plan?

Question

1. Encourage plenty of fluids.
2. Encourage independent ambulation.
3. Explain treatment measures to client.
4. Administer analgesic 30 minutes before physical therapy.

Answer 1

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4. Administering an analgesic before physical therapy is the best intervention because it contains clear and specific information providing precise guidance for applying the plan of care; this allows nurses to act in the same manner and provide continuity of care. The remaining options are missing precise information to guide nurses using the plan. If client evaluation reveals the plan is not working, the nurse knows the specific nursing care received by the client thus far and alters the plan of care accordingly.
1. The nurse implements encouraging fluids by specifying the quantity, frequency, and type of fluids.
2. Encouraging independent ambulation is missing specific details about frequency and duration (or distance) of ambulation. In addition, the nurse progresses the client to ambulate independently and assists the client out of bed for the initial attempt.
3. The nurse needs to know which treatments to explain to the client.