Postoperatively, after a lumbar laminectomy, the client continues to complain of the same low back pain that he had before surgery. The nurse knows that this finding may be caused by what problem?
1. Failure of the surgeon to remove the client's herniated disk
2. Swelling in the operative area that compresses adjacent structures
3. Twisting of the client's spine when he turns side to side
4. Limitation of movement resulting from spinal fusion
Answer: 2
After surgery, edema may cause compression of structures in the operative area, resulting in similar pain the client experienced before surgery. Twisting will cause pain, but it is usually a different pain than the pain the client experienced before surgery. Limitation of movement will decrease pain. (Ignatavicius, Workman, 7 ed., p. 963-964.)
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Mobility Nclex
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