The nurse is caring for a patient after surgery to drain a pancreatic abscess. Which action will the nurse take to monitor for complications?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Monitoring blood glucose levels is important after surgery to drain a pancreatic abscess because hyperglycemia can occur. This is because the pancreas produces insulin, which regulates blood glucose levels. If the pancreas is swollen or inflamed, it may not be able to produce insulin effectively, resulting in high blood glucose levels. This can lead to complications such as infection, delayed wound healing, and impaired immune function. Therefore, monitoring blood glucose levels is important to detect and manage hyperglycemia promptly. While documenting output, reviewing serum potassium levels, and monitoring for hyperproteinemia may also be important in certain situations, they are not specific to monitoring for complications after surgery to drain a pancreatic abscess.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient After Surgery to Drain