The nurse is conducting a follow-up call to a patient who had an exploratory laparoscopic surgical procedure 36 hours ago. The patient reports feeling shoulder pain. How should the nurse respond?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shoulder pain after a laparoscopic surgical procedure is a common complaint due to the gas used to inflate the abdomen during the procedure. It is important for the nurse to educate the patient about this and reassure them that it is a normal, temporary side effect. Option A is inappropriate and unprofessional. Option B may be a contributing factor, but it is not the sole cause of the patient's shoulder pain. Option D is not specific enough and does not provide adequate information for the patient.

The Nurse Is Conducting a Follow-Up Call to a Patient