The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day 2 following a colon resection. While turning him, wound dehiscence with evisceration occurs. What should be the nurses first response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should first place saline-soaked sterile dressings on the open wound to prevent tissue drying and possible infection. Then the nurse should call the physician and take the patients vital signs. The dehiscence needs to be surgically closed, so the nurse should never try to close it.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Is Postoperative