NCLEX RN Practice Question

The correct answer ensures the nurse addresses a potential underlying cause of the symptoms and minimizes the risk of serious complications. Clear wound drainage might indicate a seroma, surgical site issues, or other underlying problems, while symptoms of light-headedness could suggest changes in hydration or circulation. Placing the client flat helps stabilize circulation via enhanced venous return, reducing the immediate risk of hypotension and further complications. Other options are appropriate but do not address the priority in this specific scenario. For example, notifying the healthcare provider is important, but the nurse should first stabilize the client before escalating care. Increasing oral fluids is a longer-term intervention but does not address the current symptoms, and a neurological assessment is not the most relevant action for this context.