Which postoperative action is commonly included in the plan to monitor a patient after spinal surgery?

• A. Record intake and output every 8 hours.
• B. Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees.
• C. Assess bowel sounds every 4 hours.
• D. Ambulate for 5 minutes 12 hours postoperative.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is the importance of tracking a patient’s fluid balance after surgery. Recording intake and output every 8 hours provides a simple, ongoing picture of hydration and kidney function and helps detect problems early. By comparing what the patient takes in with what they excrete (urine, drain losses, sometimes other outputs), the nursing team can spot dehydration or overhydration, identify urinary retention, and monitor for unusual losses that might indicate excess bleeding or wound drainage. This routine measurement is a standard part of postoperative care because fluid shifts and the effects of anesthesia and pain meds can quickly affect a patient’s status.

The other actions are more situational. Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees may be restricted after spinal surgery because maintaining proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on the operative site are priorities, so this isn’t universally applicable right away. Checking bowel sounds every 4 hours and ambulating for a short period 12 hours post-op depend on the specific procedure and surgeon’s protocol; they’re not as universally applicable as routine intake/output monitoring in the immediate postoperative plan.