NCLEX: A 55-year-old client after abdominal surgery is being evaluated for nursing care related to sleep and rest. Asses…

Nursing fundamentals Basic Care and Comfort Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

Case Study

A 55-year-old client after abdominal surgery is being evaluated for nursing care related to sleep and rest. Assessment data include the client has not voided in 8 hours and lower abdomen is firm and tender. The nurse is evaluating discharge teaching. Which client statement shows correct understanding?

Question

A. "I will stop my medications when I feel better."
B. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
C. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
D. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."

Rationale

Correct answer: B. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."

Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Advanced

Difficulty: Hard

Subtopic: Sleep and rest