Question

Difficulty: HardBasic Care and Comfort

An older adult client is resting in a surgical recovery unit two hours after a right-sided cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. The client requests assistance with morning hygiene, getting dressed, and finding a comfortable resting position. Which basic care actions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.

  1. Elevate the head of the client's bed to 30 to 45 degrees.Answer
  2. B
    Position the client to rest laterally on their right side with a support pillow.
  3. Wash the client's face using a damp cloth, strictly avoiding the right eye area.Answer
  4. D
    Instruct the client to bend forward at the waist to put on their slip-resistant footwear.
  5. Provide increased oral fluids and high-fiber foods when preparing the client's meals.Answer
  6. F
    Apply soft wrist restraints immediately if the client confusedly reaches toward the eye shield.

Answer

The correct basic care actions are elevating the head of the bed, washing the face while avoiding the operative eye, and providing high-fiber foods with increased fluids.
Safe basic care post-cataract surgery requires minimizing intraocular pressure. Elevating the head of the bed facilitates venous drainage from the head. Washing the face carefully maintains hygiene while preventing surgical site trauma. Increasing fluids and fiber prevents constipation, ensuring the client does not strain during elimination.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's surgical procedure (right-sided cataract extraction) and identify the primary physiological risk.
The primary risk during post-operative basic care is an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) or direct trauma to the operative site.
Understanding the surgical risk dictates which standard comfort and hygiene measures are safe and which are contraindicated.
2
Evaluate the positioning and mobility options against the risk of increasing IOP.
Elevating the head of the bed decreases IOP, while lying on the operative side or bending at the waist dangerously increases IOP.
Gravity affects venous drainage from the head; proper positioning utilizes gravity to maintain normal ocular pressure.
3
Evaluate hygiene and nutritional basic care measures.
Washing around the eye without touching it prevents infection. High-fiber diets prevent straining (Valsalva maneuver), which would otherwise spike IOP.
Routine basic care must be modified to prevent secondary complications related to the surgical site.

Key Concept

Basic care and comfort measures following intraocular surgery must prioritize the prevention of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) through proper body mechanics, correct resting positions, and avoidance of straining.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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