The nurse is preparing an adolescent with scoliosis for a spinal surgical instrumentation placement procedure. Which consideration should the nurse include?

A) A chest tube and urinary catheter may be required.
B) Ambulation will not be allowed for up to 3 months.
C) Surgery eliminates the need for casting and bracing.
D) Discomfort can be controlled with nonpharmacologic methods.

Surgical spinal instrumentation is a surgical procedure. A chest tube and urinary catheterization may be required. Ambulation is allowed as soon as possible. Depending on the instrumentation used, most patients walk by the second or third postoperative day. Casting and bracing are required postoperatively. The child usually has considerable pain for the first few days after surgery. Intravenous opioids should be administered on a regular basis.