A client with acute abdominal pain is scheduled for an appendectomy in 3 hours. While waiting for the surgery, the client reports that the pain has subsided. Which is the priority action by the nurse?
A) Determine when the client can be medicated for pain.
B) Contact the surgery department.
C) Contact the healthcare provider.
D) Notify the nursing supervisor.
Answer: C
The pain relief being experienced by the client is consistent with rupture of the appendix. The healthcare provider should be notified. If the appendix has ruptured, the risk of peritonitis will increase. The next time the client can be medicated for pain is not relevant for this client. Notification of the surgery department and the nursing supervisor should not be completed before contact with the healthcare provider.
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