Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 94%
Simulated
The nurse is creating a discharge plan for a postoperative client who had a unilateral adrenalectomy. What area of instruction should the nurse include in the plan to minimize the client's risk for injury?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
A client who had a unilateral adrenalectomy (one adrenal gland was removed) will be placed on corticosteroids temporarily to avoid a cortisol deficiency; lifelong replacement is not necessary. Corticosteroids will be gradually weaned in the postoperative period until they are discontinued. Also, because of the anti-inflammatory properties of corticosteroids produced by the adrenals, clients who undergo an adrenalectomy are at increased risk of developing wound infections. Because of this increased risk of infection, it is important for the client to know measures to prevent infection, early signs of infection, and what to do if an infection seems to be present.