02-28-2008, 02:06 PM
A 56-year-old man undergoes a right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. Anastomosis is
performed with stapler and no intraoperative complications are encountered. On the night of
the surgery, the physician is called to evaluate the patient because of a temperature of 38.9 C
(102.0 F). On examination, the patient is comfortable aside from normal incisional pain. His
oxygen saturation is 93% on 2 liters of nasal cannula oxygen. His nasogastric tube is in place
and vital signs are stable. Lung sounds are diminished at the bases but are equal bilaterally.
The surgical dressing is clean, the Foley catheter is draining clear urine, and there is no lower
extremity edema or tenderness. Venodyne boots have been in place since the time of surgery.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
1.Change Foley catheter
2.Encourage use of incentive spirometer
3.Order a ventilation/perfusion scan
4.Remove surgical dressing
5.Schedule a lower extremity Doppler study
performed with stapler and no intraoperative complications are encountered. On the night of
the surgery, the physician is called to evaluate the patient because of a temperature of 38.9 C
(102.0 F). On examination, the patient is comfortable aside from normal incisional pain. His
oxygen saturation is 93% on 2 liters of nasal cannula oxygen. His nasogastric tube is in place
and vital signs are stable. Lung sounds are diminished at the bases but are equal bilaterally.
The surgical dressing is clean, the Foley catheter is draining clear urine, and there is no lower
extremity edema or tenderness. Venodyne boots have been in place since the time of surgery.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
1.Change Foley catheter
2.Encourage use of incentive spirometer
3.Order a ventilation/perfusion scan
4.Remove surgical dressing
5.Schedule a lower extremity Doppler study