Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain patient safety when ambulating a patient for the first time postoperatively?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When ambulating a patient for the first time postoperatively, it is crucial to ensure patient safety by using two people to assist the patient. This helps in providing adequate support and stability, especially if the patient is weak, dizzy, or at risk of falling. Having two people allows for better control over the patient's movement and reduces the risk of accidents or falls during ambulation. Additionally, having an extra person provides assistance in case the patient becomes unsteady or requires immediate support.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The internal mammary and internal thoracic arteries in the chest are often used for grafting in procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery. These arteries have been found to have good long-term patency rates when used as grafts to bypass blocked coronary arteries. The internal mammary artery, in particular, is commonly used for this purpose due to its accessibility and long-term durability. The use of these arteries for grafting helps to improve blood flow to the heart muscle, relieving symptoms of coronary artery disease and reducing the risk of heart-related complications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When administering IV fluids to clients with hypertension, the nurse must closely monitor the site and progress of the infusion every hour to ensure proper hydration and detect any signs of complications such as infiltration or infection. Checking the blood pressure every hour, as in choice A, may not be necessary unless specifically indicated by the healthcare provider. Checking the progress of the infusion once a day, as in choice C, does not provide adequate monitoring for a client with hypertension who may be at higher risk for fluid volume overload. Checking the client's pulse rate every hour, as in choice D, is important but does not directly address the immediate monitoring needs related to the administration of IV fluids.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Providing clear liquids only until the patient can swallow solid foods is not recommended as it restricts the patient's diet unnecessarily. In the case of difficulty swallowing after a stroke, it is important to modify the food consistency and provide appropriate techniques to support safe swallowing. Limiting the patient to clear liquids only could lead to inadequate nutrition and hydration. Instead, it is important to modify the diet consistency and use strategies such as altering the food presentation, having the patient swallow twice after each bite, placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth, and checking for pocketing of food to help prevent aspiration.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Nerves from the thoracic cord supply the trunk of the body. The thoracic spinal cord region is responsible for supplying nerves to the chest, abdomen, and back—the areas that make up the trunk of the body. Each level of the thoracic spinal cord is associated with specific nerves that innervate different areas of the trunk, including the intercostal muscles, abdominal muscles, and other structures. Therefore, the trunk is the part of the body supplied by nerves from the thoracic cord.