Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 94%
Simulated
A 45-year-old client had a complete abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy 2 days ago. The client's abdominal dressing is dry and intact. In addition, the client is taking liquids and voiding a sufficient quantity of straw-colored urine. While sitting up in the chair after her bath, the client complains of severe pain and numbness in her left leg. The nurse should respond immediately by:
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Severe pain and numbness post-hysterectomy suggest possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial occlusion, common postoperative complications. Assessing color and temperature of the leg (e.g., pallor, coolness) helps identify circulatory compromise. Pain medication, edema assessment, or position change are less urgent.