The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a saline lock and minimal urine in the drainage bag, who appears anxious and restless. The nurse notices that the client's hands are cool and moist, with prolonged capillary refill. Which action should the nurse take?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Place a warm blanket on the client: Providing warmth may improve comfort temporarily but does not address the underlying cause of the client’s cool, moist hands, prolonged capillary refill, or low urine output, which suggest possible hypovolemia or shock. B. Administer IV fluids per protocol: The client’s signs restlessness, cool clammy skin, prolonged capillary refill, and low urine output indicate hypoperfusion likely due to fluid deficit. Administering IV fluids promptly helps restore circulating volume and tissue perfusion. C. Review the medication administration record: While medication review is important for overall safety, it does not address the immediate risk of hypovolemic shock or low urine output in this client. D. Check the urinary catheter for an occlusion: Although checking for blockage is reasonable if a catheter is present, the client’s overall clinical presentation points to systemic hypovolemia rather than a localized urinary obstruction.