A client is being admitted to the hospital for elevated temperature for the past 24 hours. The client had the right knee replaced 4 days ago in the same facility. Which assessment is a priority for now?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After surgery, an elevated temperature may be normal initially, but if it continues, it may signal a possible infection. During the first postoperative day, an elevated temperature is most likely caused by the physiologic stress of surgery or by atelectasis. Fever during the 2nd to 5th postoperative day most likely results from pneumonia. A fever on the 2nd to 8th postoperative day suggests UTI. One occurring from the 3rd to 11th postoperative day often suggests a wound infection. A fever developing weeks or months after surgery may suggest a deep operative infection or infected prosthetic device.

A Client Is Being Admitted to the Hospital for Elevated