Chapter 11: Inflammation and Wound Healing Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition

1. The nurse assesses a patient’s surgical wound on the first postoperative day and notes redness and warmth around the incision. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Obtain wound cultures. c. Notify the health care provider. b. Document the assessment. d. Assess the wound every 2 hours. ANS: B The incisional redness and warmth are indicators of the normal initial (inflammatory) stage of wound healing by primary intention. The nurse should document the wound appearance and continue to monitor the wound. Notification of the health care provider, assessment every 2 hours, and obtaining wound cultures are not indicated because the healing is progressing normally. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 165 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 2. A patient with an open leg lesion has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 13,500/µL and a band count of 11%. What prescribed action should the nurse take first? a. Obtain cultures of the wound. b. Begin antibiotic administration. c. Continue to monitor the wound for drainage. d. Redress the wound with wet-to-dry dressings. ANS: A The increase in WBC count with the increased bands (shift to the left) indicates that the patient probably has a bacterial infection, and the nurse should obtain wound cultures. Antibiotic therapy and/or dressing changes may be started, but cultures should be done first. The nurse will continue to monitor the wound, but additional actions are needed as well. DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis) REF: 161 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 3. A patient with a systemic bacterial infection feels cold and has a shaking chill. Which assessment finding will the nurse expect next? a. Skin flushing c. Rising body temperature b. Muscle cramps d. Decreasing blood pressure ANS: C The patient’s complaints of feeling cold and shivering indicate that the hypothalamic set point for temperature has be