The nurse is caring for a patient postoperatively following orthopedic surgery. The nurse assesses an oxygen saturation of 89%, confusion, and a rash on the upper torso. What does the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?

Based on the symptoms presented, the nurse suspects that the patient is experiencing fat emboli syndrome. Fat emboli syndrome occurs when fat globules are released into the bloodstream and travel to various organs, causing symptoms such as low oxygen saturation, confusion, and a rash on the upper torso.

Option A, fat emboli syndrome, aligns with the symptoms described. The low oxygen saturation indicates a problem with oxygen delivery, which can occur when fat globules block blood vessels. Confusion can result from decreased oxygen supply to the brain, and the rash may be a result of small fat globules lodging in the blood vessels of the skin.

Option B, polyethylene-induced infection, is unlikely as the symptoms described do not align with an infection caused by polyethylene. Polyethylene is a common material used in orthopedic implants, but it does not typically cause symptoms such as low oxygen saturation, confusion, or a rash.

Option C, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), is also unlikely as the symptoms described do not match the typical presentation of DIC. DIC is a condition characterized by abnormal blood clotting throughout the body, leading to organ damage. Symptoms of DIC may include bleeding, bruising, and organ dysfunction, but not low oxygen saturation, confusion, or a rash.

Option D, pneumonia, is also unlikely as the symptoms described do not align with those typically associated with pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause symptoms such as cough, fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, but not low oxygen saturation, confusion, or a rash.

Therefore, based on the symptoms presented, the nurse suspects that the patient is experiencing fat emboli syndrome. The correct