The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients.Which patient is most at risk for developing an infection?

A) The patient who is in observation for chest pain.
B) The patient who is recovering from a right total hip arthroplasty.
C) The patient who has been admitted with dehydration.
D) The patient who has been admitted for stabilization of atrial fibrillation.

Question

Joshua Hauber · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  The patient who is recovering from a right total hip arthroplasty has had a surgical procedure wherein bone was removed from the body and an implant was placed within the patient.The patient has a large incision from surgery.The patient also has an intravenous infusion to provide fluids and medication.All these breaks in the skin increase the likelihood of infection.The patient has been given anaesthetics and medication for pain.Both of these depress the respiratory system and have the potential to decrease the expansion of alveoli and to increase the chance of infection in the respiratory system.The other patients may have one break in the skin when an intravenous infusion is used.

Definitions

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Related questions