The nurse is providing postoperative care for a client who had a bilateral adrenalectomy. Which assessment information requires the most rapid action by the nurse?
A)The blood glucose is 9.8 mmol/L.
B)The lungs have bibasilar crackles.
C)The client's BP is 88/50 mm Hg.
D)The client has 5/10 incisional pain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decreased BP indicates possible adrenal insufficiency. The nurse should immediately notify the health care provider so that corticosteroid medications can be administered. The nurse should also address the elevated glucose, incisional pain, and crackles with appropriate collaborative or nursing actions, but prevention and treatment of acute adrenal insufficiency is the priority after adrenalectomy.

The Nurse Is Providing Postoperative Care for a Client Who