A 75-year-old patient is received into the postanesthesia recovery room (PACU) following a 6-hour abdominal surgery. The patient's hemodynamic status is stable
Based on knowledge of the patient's surgery and the common postoperative complications the patient might be at risk for, the recovery room nurse would perform which interventions? 1. Keep the room temperature at 70 degrees, consider supplemental oxygen, and provide warm blankets.
2. Consider increasing the IV fluids, assess for urine output, and monitor the oxygen saturation.
3. Assess the patient's blood pressure more frequently than for younger clients and provide oxygen.
4. Provide postoperative instructions to avoid straining and eat a low-fiber diet.
1
Rationale 1: This patient is at risk for hypothermia based on age, the length of the surgery, and the likelihood of intra-operative irrigants to the abdomen. The nurse's role will be to minimize the risk for hypothermia by providing warm blankets, keeping the room at 70 degrees, and, if the core temperature drops, considering the provision of supplemental oxygen.
Rationale 2: The IV rate does not need to be increased at this time because the patient is hemodynamically stable. The urine output would be automatically monitored, but the nurse would not anticipate a problem with it because the patient is hemodynamically stable.
Rationale 3: The patient's hemodynamic status is stable; therefore, the blood pressure is stable. Increased frequency of blood pressure monitoring is not necessary.
Rationale 4: Because the patient was in surgery for 6 hours, postoperative instructions to avoid straining and eat a low-fiber diet are not applicable at this time.
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