The nurse who is caring for a patient postoperatively notes that he is expressing discomfort and is diaphoretic.Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?
A)Straighten the bed linens.
B)Change the saturated surgical dressing.
C)Administer prescribed pain medications.
D)Check for displaced equipment underneath the patient.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Administer pain-relieving medications as ordered.Analgesics are the cornerstone of pain management.Smoothing wrinkles in bed linens may reduce pressure and irritation to the skin;however,pain-relieving medication should be given first.Changing a wet surgical dressing might not be needed if the patient has received a wet-to-dry dressing as treatment,or if not changing the dressing will reduce irritation to the skin but will not address the discomfort.Reposition underlying tubes,wires,or equipment that may apply pressure directly to dependent skin surfaces.Removing these stimuli may maximize the response to pain-relieving interventions such as medication,but pain-relieving medication should be administered first.

The Nurse Who Is Caring for a Patient Postoperatively Notes