A very obese female client returns to her room after abdominal surgery. The client is drowsy, but oriented; her abdominal dressing is dry and intact; and her vital signs are T 98.4, P 87, R 18, and BP 146/72. An appropriate postoperative nursing diagnosis would be:

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Free Medical Surgical Certification Practice Questions Questions

Question 1 of 5

A very obese female client returns to her room after abdominal surgery. The client is drowsy, but oriented; her abdominal dressing is dry and intact; and her vital signs are T 98.4, P 87, R 18, and BP 146/72. An appropriate postoperative nursing diagnosis would be:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The assessment information provided does not suggest a postoperative airway problem or a problem with compliance. The assessment information provided does not suggest a problem with compliance or a postoperative airway problem. While the client is obese and has altered nutrition, the nutritional problem is more than her body requirements, not less. Pain is a common phenomenon in clients who have had surgery. Postoperative pain is related to the manipulation of and the injury to tissues during the surgical procedure.

Question 2 of 5

A client is having a left pneumonectomy. In planning this client's postoperative care, nursing interventions for a postoperative left pneumonectomy would include:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Chest tubes are not usually necessary in a pneumonectomy, because there is no lung to re-expand on the operative side. The pneumonectomy client should be positioned on the back or operated side, because the sutured bronchial stump may open, which would allow fluid to drain into the unoperated side and drown the client. The client should not have a pillow under the shoulder and back, because of the subscapular incision. Rales are commonly heard over the base of the remaining lung. An increase could indicate circulatory overload. Rales should be closely monitored.

Question 3 of 5

A 29-year-old client is scheduled for an arthrotomy of the right knee following a football injury. The client describes his state of health as excellent and states that he does not use any medication. In providing psychological support for the client during the preoperative period, the nurse should:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Teaching coughing and deep breathing is a component of preoperative teaching, but it does not necessarily provide psychological support. Spiritual care, a component of psychological support, can reduce the client's fears and anxieties related to the surgical experience. Performing a physical assessment is part of the physical preparation for surgery, not the psychological preparation. Providing the preoperative medication is a part of the preparation immediately before surgery. While the medication will sedate and relax the client, it is not considered to be psychological support.

Question 4 of 5

The client has received preoperative teaching for a vertical partial laryngectomy. The nurse determines that the teaching has been effective when the client states:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Special swallowing training is required for a client with a supraglottic (horizontal partial) laryngectomy, not a vertical partial laryngectomy. The quality of the client's voice will be altered, but it will be adequate for communication. The client will have minimal difficulty swallowing. A radical neck dissection may be done with a total laryngectomy, not with a partial laryngectomy.

Question 5 of 5

This patient should be prioritized into which category?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

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