Two hours after abdominal surgery, a patient reports sudden tearing pain and the nurse sees bowel tissue at the incision. What should the nurse do first?

Correct answer: B. Cover the area with sterile saline-moistened dressings

  • A. Push the tissue gently back into the abdomen
  • B. Cover the area with sterile saline-moistened dressings
  • C. Remove the remaining sutures from the incision
  • D. Apply a dry abdominal binder tightly over the wound

Explanation

The exposed tissue is an emergency called wound evisceration. The nurse covers it with sterile saline-moistened dressings, keeps the patient calm with knees flexed if appropriate, and calls the surgeon; the tissue must not be pushed back.

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About Perioperative Nursing

Covers preoperative assessment, informed consent, surgical preparation, anaesthesia, intraoperative safety and postoperative recovery. It includes sterile technique, surgical positioning, wound and drain care, pain and nausea management, fluid balance, prevention of infection and recognition of complications such as haemorrhage, atelectasis and shock.

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