What is the PRIORITY nursing diagnosis the circulating nurse would include in the care plan?

A circulating nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing to laparotomy under a general anesthesia in the Operating Room.

What is the PRIORITY nursing diagnosis the circulating nurse would include in the care plan?
A . Risk for anxiety related to surgery
B . Risk for bleeding related to surgery
C . Risk for injury related to positioning
D . Risk for infection related to surgical incision

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

Role of Circulating Nurse: The circulating nurse manages the overall environment of the operating room, ensuring safety and coordination among the surgical team. They are responsible for maintaining patient safety, including correct positioning.

Prioritizing Safety:

Risk for anxiety: While relevant, managing anxiety is typically addressed preoperatively and postoperatively, not the immediate intraoperative period.

Risk for bleeding: While bleeding is a concern, it is primarily monitored and managed by the surgical team.

Risk for injury related to positioning: During surgery, improper positioning can lead to nerve damage, pressure sores, and musculoskeletal injuries. The circulating nurse must ensure that the patient is correctly positioned to avoid these injuries.

Risk for infection: Preventing infection is crucial, but the sterile field and surgical techniques primarily address this risk.

Conclusion: The highest priority for the circulating nurse is to ensure the patient is correctly positioned to prevent any injury related to positioning, as this is a direct and immediate responsibility during the surgical procedure.

Reference: Surgical nursing textbooks, NCLEX-RN review guides, AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) guidelines.