The nurse determines that an adult client who is admitted to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following abdominal surgery has a tympanic temperature of 94.6°F (34.8°C), a heart rate of 88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 94/68 mm Hg. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Checking the blood pressure every five minutes for one hour is important, especially if the blood pressure is unstable. However, this action does not address the immediate issue of the client’s low temperature, which needs to be verified and addressed promptly to prevent complications such as hypothermia.Choice B reason: Taking the client's temperature using another method is crucial. The extremely low tympanic temperature reading may not be accurate, and confirming the client's core body temperature is essential. Hypothermia can lead to serious complications, including altered cardiovascular and respiratory function, and needs to be managed promptly.Choice C reason: Raising the head of the bed to 60 to 90 degrees is not appropriate in this situation. Elevating the head of the bed is typically done to improve respiratory function or decrease intracranial pressure, but it does not address the potential issue of hypothermia indicated by the low temperature reading.Choice D reason: Asking the client to cough and deep breathe is a good practice to prevent postoperative complications such as atelectasis, but it is not the priority intervention in this scenario. The immediate concern is verifying the client's temperature to rule out or address hypothermia.