Upon noticing evisceration in a postoperative client, what should be the immediate action?

The immediate action upon noticing evisceration in a postoperative client is to cover the wound with sterile towels or dressings soaked in sterile saline solution. This choice is crucial because it helps to protect the exposed organs from contamination and drying out, which is essential for preventing infection and maintaining the viability of the tissues. By using sterile saline-soaked dressings, you provide a moist environment that aids in the preservation of the fluid balance in the tissues, thereby reducing the risk of further complications until surgical intervention can be provided.

While notifying the surgeon and preparing the client for surgery are important subsequent steps, they do not replace the necessity to manage the immediate situation. Keeping the client in bed with knees bent can help reduce tension on the wound, but it is insufficient as a standalone action when evisceration occurs. The priority must always be to protect the wound area and the internal organs first, which is why covering it with appropriate materials soaked in sterile saline is the preferred immediate response.