On the second postoperative day following herniated disk surgery, the client says, "My legs are numb. I thought surgery was going to fix my problems." The nurse's best response to explain the continued pain is
A) "Because of the surgery, there is some swelling, which should subside."
B) "This pain is from the anesthesia and will subside by this afternoon."
C) "This pain is positional and will subside if you roll over on your side."
D) "You are probably moving around too much. I will raise the knee gatch."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Following spinal surgery, the nurse should question the client about pain and paresthesias. New paresthesias are probably related to swelling from the surgery, but the surgeon should be notified about their development. If progressive weakness or paralysis of the lower extremities, loss of sphincter control, anal numbness, or urinary retention occurs, emergency surgical decompression may be required.

On the Second Postoperative Day Following Herniated Disk Surgery, the Client