A nurse receives information in a change of shift report. Which client is the priority?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

External fixation stabilizes bone by inserting metal pins through skin into the bone and attaching them to a metal rod outside the skin. The nurse should assess this client first as any signs and symptoms of an infection (eg, low-grade fever, drainage, pain, redness, swelling) warrant immediate evaluation and treatment. Localized pin tract infection can progress to osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that requires long-term treatment with antibiotics. (Option A) The dose of levothyroxine, a thyroid replacement drug that raises the metabolic rate, may need to be adjusted as the client is now exhibiting manifestations of hyperthyroidism (eg, nervousness, sweating, insomnia). (Option B) Hemoptysis can sometimes be seen with pneumonia, lung abscess, tuberculosis, and lung cancer, as well as in bronchiectasis. Unless there is a significant amount of blood, this is not a concerning finding. (Option D) Epigastric abdominal pain and steatorrhea (voluminous, foul-smelling, fatty stools) due to fat malabsorption are expected findings in chronic pancreatitis. Appropriate pain medication and pancreatic enzyme supplements (prior to each meal) are administered for prevention. Educational objective: An external fixator stabilizes bone by inserting metal pins through skin into the bone and attaching them to a metal rod outside the skin. Signs and symptoms of infection (eg, fever, drainage, pain, redness, swelling) warrant immediate evaluation and treatment with antibiotics as these can progress to osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection.

A Nurse Receives Information in a Change of Shift Report