A practical nurse is caring for a client who had a total knee arthroplasty 48 hours ago. The client is prescribed subcutaneous enoxaparin daily for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis and oral hydrocodone-acetaminophen as needed for pain. During the morning assessment, the client reports feeling "lightheaded and weak." The nurse collects the following data:
| Clinical Indicator | Current Value | Previous Day Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 100/62 mm Hg | 138/82 mm Hg |
| Heart rate | 114 beats/min | 84 beats/min |
| Hemoglobin | 8.4 g/dL | 10.6 g/dL |
| Platelet count | 185,000/mm³ | 190,000/mm³ |
Based on these findings, which action should the practical nurse take first?
- Withhold the scheduled dose of enoxaparin and immediately notify the registered nurse.Cevap
- BAdminister the scheduled enoxaparin because the platelet count remains within the normal reference range.
- CAttribute the lightheadedness and vital signs to the opioid analgesic and reassess in one hour.
- DDelegate the unlicensed assistive personnel to assist the client to the bedside commode.
Cevap
Withhold the scheduled dose of enoxaparin and immediately notify the registered nurse.
The client's clinical picture—a significant drop in hemoglobin combined with new-onset tachycardia, a decrease in baseline blood pressure, and lightheadedness—strongly suggests acute postoperative bleeding or early hemorrhagic shock. The practical nurse must prioritize safety by withholding the anticoagulant medication, which could exacerbate bleeding, and immediately escalating these critical findings to the registered nurse for provider notification and potential medical intervention.
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Anahtar Kavram
Early recognition of hemorrhagic shock and critical escalation within the PN scope of practice.
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