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Question

Difficulty: MediumBasic Care and Comfort

A client is resting in bed recovering from a total abdominal hysterectomy performed earlier today. While providing routine comfort and hygiene measures, which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)

  1. Provide frequent oral hygiene using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-alcohol-based mouth rinse.Answer
  2. Encourage the client to keep their knees slightly flexed while resting in bed.Answer
  3. C
    Maintain the client in a completely flat, supine position to ensure proper alignment.
  4. D
    Serve a clear liquid meal tray containing beef broth without confirming dietary practices.
  5. E
    Ask the client, 'Why are you refusing your morning bed bath when it will clearly help you relax?'
  6. Offer a gentle back massage using warm lotion to promote relaxation.Answer

Answer

The correct actions are providing oral hygiene with a non-alcohol rinse, encouraging slight knee flexion to reduce incisional tension, and offering a gentle back massage with warm lotion.
Providing a non-alcohol mouth rinse promotes oral hygiene without drying out mucous membranes. Encouraging slight knee flexion actively reduces physical tension on the abdominal incision, which minimizes pain and facilitates healing. Offering a gentle back massage stimulates localized circulation and acts as a foundational comfort measure for immobilized clients.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's postoperative care needs.
The client requires interventions that manage pain, respect personal boundaries, and maintain hygiene without causing harm.
A total abdominal hysterectomy involves a major abdominal incision, making safe positioning and gentle comfort care critical.
2
Evaluate the positioning and hygiene options.
Slight knee flexion, gentle back massages, and non-drying oral care are appropriate; flat positioning is contraindicated.
Flat positioning stretches the abdominal wall, increasing incisional pain and compromising respiratory effort.
3
Assess the psychosocial and nutritional interventions.
Nontherapeutic 'why' questions and serving unverified animal products must be avoided.
These actions fail to respect the client's emotional boundaries and cultural dietary restrictions during basic care delivery.

Key Concept

Basic Comfort Measures and Postoperative Positioning
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Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

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