Please help me with this question

Question

Mr. Jim had R total hip replacement 1 day ago. He's having trouble coughing up secretions after her surgery, complaining of SOB & a sensation of "tightness" in his chest, pale & sweating. His apical rate is 127 bpm, laboured resp. rate of 26, and BP of 140/90.

-Why is he having difficulty coughing secretions? Explain.

-Why is he experiencing SOB? Explain.

-Why is he pale & sweating? Explain.

-Explain his VS.

-What assessments should you do?

-What's his Nursing Diagnosis?

-Identify Interventions (treatment/preventions)

Answer 1

Hi Nanno -

The risk of pulmonary embolus is mostly present a few days after surgery. Orthopedic patients are particularly vulnerable. Moving as soon as possible after surgery is important in addition to pneumatic compression of the lower extremities and anticoagulation (blood thinners). Sharp pains with each breath accompanied by acute onset shortness of breath and rapid heart rate are characteristic. It typically occurs as a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the saphenous veins of the leg often predisposed by inactivity, smoking, hypercoagulable states (cancer), and some medications. The clot becomes lodged in a branch or branches of the pulmonary arteries.