A preschool-age client is hospitalized following surgery for a ruptured appendix. During assessment of the child, the nurse notes that the child is sleeping. Vital signs are as follows: temperature 97.8 degrees F axillary, pulse 90, respirations 12, and blood pressure 100/60. Which conclusion by the nurse is appropriate based on the assessment findings?

a. The client is comfortable, and the pain is controlled.
b. The client is in shock secondary to blood loss during surgery.
c. The client is experiencing respiratory depression secondary to opioid administration for postoperative pain.
d. The client is sleeping to avoid pain associated with surgery.

The nurse's most appropriate conclusion based on the assessment of the preschool-age client's vital signs post-appendix surgery is that the child appears to have controlled pain, as their vital signs are within normal limits and they are sleeping comfortably.

Explanation:

The question inquires about the appropriate conclusion a nurse should draw from the assessment findings of a preschool-age client after surgery for a ruptured appendix. Based on the provided vital signs - an axillary temperature of 97.8 degrees F, pulse of 90, respirations at 12, and blood pressure at 100/60 - the most professional judgement would be that the client's vital signs are within normal limits for a sleeping child. The temperature is slightly below normal which could be due to the postoperative state or the axillary route, which is typically lower than core temperature. The pulse and respirations are normal for a resting preschool-aged child. Considering the normal vital signs and that the child is sleeping, it would not be correct to conclude that the child is in shock or experiencing respiratory depression just from the given data. Therefore, the conclusion that the client is comfortable and the pain is controlled would be the most appropriate assessment by the nurse based on the scenario provided.