Marisol, a 44-year-old woman, comes to the outpatient clinic 4 days after a total abdominal hysterectomy performed for symptomatic uterine fibroids. She reports the incision feels 'tight' but denies fever. Her temperature is 37.8°C, HR 88 bpm, and she rates incisional pain 4/10. The nurse notes the dressing is dry and intact, but Marisol says she has not been out of bed except to use the bathroom because she is afraid of 'pulling something open.' Which nursing intervention is the priority at this time?
- Notify the surgeon immediately for a suspected wound infection.
- Instruct her to remain on strict bed rest until her follow-up appointment in two weeks.
- Reinforce the importance of early ambulation and splinting the incision with a pillow when moving.
- Apply a wet-to-dry dressing change to the incision site.