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The nurse is conducting a preoperative assessment on a patient scheduled for gallbladder surgery. The patient reports having a frequent cough producing green sputum for 3 days and denies fever. Upon auscultation, the nurse notes rhonchi throughout the right lung with an occasional expiratory wheeze. Respiratory rate is 20, temperature is 99.8 taken orally, heart rate is 87, and blood pressure is 124/70. What is the nurse's best action?

A. Notify the surgeon immediately and recommend postponing the surgery
B. Order a chest X-ray to further assess the patient's respiratory status
C. Administer a bronchodilator to the patient to improve lung function
D. Proceed with the preoperative assessment and inform the anesthesiologist of the lung findings

Answer :

Final answer:

The nurse's best action is Notify the surgeon immediately and recommend postponing the surgery. Thus the correct answer is a. Notify the surgeon immediately and recommend postponing the surgery.

Explanation:

The nurse should notify the surgeon immediately and recommend postponing the surgery. The patient's symptoms of green sputum production, rhonchi, and expiratory wheezes indicate an acute respiratory condition, likely a lower respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. These symptoms could pose a risk for the patient during surgery, particularly with intubation and mechanical ventilation. The surgeon needs to be informed so they can determine if the surgery should be postponed, and the patient may require further assessment and treatment for their respiratory condition before surgery. Thus the correct answer is a. Notify the surgeon immediately and recommend postponing the surgery.

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