A nurse is assisting with the care of a school-age child following an appendectomy. Which data should the nurse monitor to detect potential postoperative infection?

A nurse is assisting with the care of a school-age child following an appendectomy. Which data should the nurse monitor to detect potential postoperative infection?

• A. Abdominal distension
• B. Temperature elevation
• C. Vomiting
• D. Headache

Answer: (B)

Fever is the primary sign to monitor for postoperative infection. After an appendectomy, a rising temperature suggests the body is fighting an infection, such as a wound infection or intra-abdominal infection, and prompts closer assessment of the surgical site and overall condition. In school-age children, a fever beyond the immediate postoperative period is a red flag that warrants evaluation of wound appearance, vital signs, and other symptoms. Abdominal distension can occur after abdominal surgery from gas and slowed bowel movement, and it isn’t a reliable standalone indicator of infection. Vomiting is common after anesthesia or due to analgesics and ileus rather than infection, though it may accompany other postoperative issues. Headache can result from dehydration, pain medication, or anesthesia effects and does not by itself indicate infection. So, tracking temperature elevation provides the most useful signal for detecting postoperative infection in this scenario. If fever develops, correlate with other signs (worsening wound, increased pain at the incision, tachycardia, or malaise) and pursue further assessment as needed.

Fever is the primary sign to monitor for postoperative infection. After an appendectomy, a rising temperature suggests the body is fighting an infection, such as a wound infection or intra-abdominal infection, and prompts closer assessment of the surgical site and overall condition. In school-age children, a fever beyond the immediate postoperative period is a red flag that warrants evaluation of wound appearance, vital signs, and other symptoms.

Abdominal distension can occur after abdominal surgery from gas and slowed bowel movement, and it isn’t a reliable standalone indicator of infection. Vomiting is common after anesthesia or due to analgesics and ileus rather than infection, though it may accompany other postoperative issues. Headache can result from dehydration, pain medication, or anesthesia effects and does not by itself indicate infection.

So, tracking temperature elevation provides the most useful signal for detecting postoperative infection in this scenario. If fever develops, correlate with other signs (worsening wound, increased pain at the incision, tachycardia, or malaise) and pursue further assessment as needed.