A nurse providing discharge instructions for a patient after a radical vulvectomy should emphasize which point?

After a radical vulvectomy, the focus of discharge instructions is crucial for the patient's recovery and safety. Emphasizing the need to contact the physician for any unusual bleeding is extremely important. This is because post-surgery, particularly after extensive procedures like a radical vulvectomy, there is a risk of complications, including bleeding. Monitoring for any unusual bleeding can indicate potential issues such as wound dehiscence or hematoma formation, which require prompt medical attention.

Encouraging the patient to be vigilant about unusual symptoms reinforces the importance of self-monitoring and proactive health management post-operation. It ensures that they are aware that their health can change and that they have a clear course of action should complications arise.

Other options may be relevant in different contexts of recovery but do not carry the same immediate weight concerning potential complications post-surgical discharge. For instance, while avoiding straining during bowel movements is often important to reduce intra-abdominal pressure, it is less acute than monitoring for bleeding. Similarly, resuming sexual activity should be discussed in a more personalized manner based on the patient’s healing process rather than as a fixed timeline. The recommendation regarding support hose is typically not a priority in this specific surgical context, making bleeding monitoring the primary focus for safe recovery