Question

A client is five hours postoperative total knee replacement. Which assessment result requires the nurse to notify the physician? A. Temperature of \(100^{\circ}\) Fahrenheit B. Hematocrit of \(24 \%\) C. Dime-size serous drainage on dressing D. \(300 \mathrm{~mL}\) Foley output in five hours

Short answer

Answer: The nurse should notify the physician about the hematocrit value of 24%.

Step-by-step solution

Option A

A temperature of \(100^{\circ}\) Fahrenheit is just slightly above normal body temperature. This can indicate a mild fever, but it's not unusual for patients to have a mild fever following surgery. Therefore, this option does not require the nurse to notify the physician urgently.

Option B

A hematocrit of \(24\%\) is a matter of concern. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. The normal range for hematocrit in adult males is between \(38.8\%\) and \(50\%\), while for adult females, it's between \(34.9\%\) and \(44.5\%\). A hematocrit value of \(24\%\) is significantly lower than the normal range, which could indicate anemia or substantial blood loss. This outcome requires the nurse to notify the physician immediately.

Option C

Dime-size serous drainage on the dressing after five hours of surgery is not uncommon in postoperative total knee replacement patients. It is typically not a cause for worry, and the nurse does not need to notify the physician urgently.

Option D

A Foley output of \(300 \mathrm{~mL}\) in five hours following total knee replacement surgery is within the normal range for urine output. There's no urgent need for the nurse to notify the physician about this, as it does not indicate a significant problem. In conclusion, the nurse should notify the physician about the assessment result with a hematocrit value of \(24\%\), which is option B.