Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for four postoperative clients. The nurse can delegate obtaining vital signs to an assistive personnel (AP) for which of the following clients?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B because a client who is 3 days postoperative following gastric bypass surgery is stable and unlikely to have immediate complications. Vital signs can be safely delegated to an assistive personnel (AP) for this client.
Choice A is incorrect because a client who is 3 days postoperative following a craniotomy may still be at risk for neurological complications that require close monitoring by a nurse.
Choice C is incorrect because a client who is only 2 hours postoperative following an abdominal hysterectomy is still in the immediate postoperative period and requires frequent monitoring by a nurse.
Choice D is incorrect because a client who is only 1 hour postoperative following a thyroidectomy is in the immediate postoperative period and may have potential complications that require close monitoring by a nurse.
Overall, the key factor in delegating obtaining vital signs to an AP is the stability of the client's condition postoperatively.
Choice A is incorrect because a client who is 3 days postoperative following a craniotomy may still be at risk for neurological complications that require close monitoring by a nurse.
Choice C is incorrect because a client who is only 2 hours postoperative following an abdominal hysterectomy is still in the immediate postoperative period and requires frequent monitoring by a nurse.
Choice D is incorrect because a client who is only 1 hour postoperative following a thyroidectomy is in the immediate postoperative period and may have potential complications that require close monitoring by a nurse.
Overall, the key factor in delegating obtaining vital signs to an AP is the stability of the client's condition postoperatively.