The nurse is caring for a client who had a stapedotomy yesterday. Which of the following findings is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
A)The client complains of "congestion" in the ear.
B)The client's oral temperature is 38.1°C (100.6°F).
C)The client says "My hearing is worse now than it was right after surgery."
D)There is a small amount of dried bloody drainage on the client's dressing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An elevated temperature following any surgery may indicate a postoperative infection. Although the nurse would report all the data, a temporary decrease in hearing, bloody drainage on the dressing, and a feeling of congestion because of the accumulation of blood and drainage in the ear are common after this surgery.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Had a Stapedotomy