A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client. Which of the following findings indicate a need for follow-up by the nurse? Select all that apply.

Postoperative care following abdominal abscess removal focuses on early detection of complications such as infection, fluid imbalance, electrolyte disturbances, and early sepsis. Vital signs, laboratory values, and output measurements help assess hemodynamic stability and recovery progression. Subtle changes such as tachycardia, tachypnea, and electrolyte shifts may indicate developing complications even when other findings appear stable. Postoperative infection must be ruled out when early physiologic changes occur after surgery. Rationale: A. Potassium level requires follow-up because it is at the upper limit of normal (5 mEq/L). Postoperative patients are at risk for electrolyte imbalances due to IV fluids, tissue injury, and renal perfusion changes. A rising potassium level may indicate impaired renal excretion or developing metabolic imbalance that could progress to hyperkalemia and cardiac dysrhythmias. B. Temperature does not require follow-up because it is within normal range and shows no evidence of fever or infection. The client’s temperature remains stable, suggesting no immediate infectious process or inflammatory complication at this time. C. Heart rate requires follow-up because it has increased from 84/min to 104/min. Postoperative tachycardia may indicate early infection, pain, hypovolemia, or developing sepsis. Even in the presence of normal blood pressure, an increasing heart rate is an early warning sign of physiologic stress. D. Skin assessment does not require follow-up because the skin is described as warm, dry, and intact with normal capillary refill and pulses. These findings indicate adequate peripheral perfusion and no signs of skin breakdown or circulatory compromise. E. Respiratory rate requires follow-up because it has increased from 20/min to 24/min. Tachypnea may be an early sign of pain, hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, or developing infection. Even with normal oxygen saturation, an increasing respiratory rate warrants further assessment. F. Urinary output does not require follow-up because it is adequate at 60 mL/hr, which indicates appropriate renal perfusion. Normal urine output suggests stable fluid balance and kidney function postoperatively. G. Blood pressure does not require follow-up because it remains within acceptable range and shows improvement in mean arterial pressure. There are no signs of hypotension or shock based on current values. H. Oxygen saturation does not require follow-up because it remains within normal limits (96–97% on room air). This indicates adequate oxygenation and no current respiratory compromise.