The nurse is assessing a client admitted for a total hip arthroplasty under general anesthesia. The client reports that her spouse had a "nasty cold" last week and states she now has a cough and "little tickle" in their throat. The nurse notes mild rhonchi in both bases of the lung fields. Which of the following nursing diagnoses would best explain why the nurse contacted the surgeon and anesthesiologist for a possible postponement of the surgery?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of a cough and rhonchi in the lungs, along with the recent exposure to a cold, suggests a risk for infection, which could complicate both the surgery and anesthesia. This is why the nurse would contact the surgeon and anesthesiologist to consider postponing the surgery.

The Nurse Is Assessing a Client Admitted for a Total