A client is reporting pain in her casted leg. The nurse has administered analgesics and elevated the limb. Thirty minutes after administering the analgesics. the client states the pain is unrelieved. The nurse is unable to palpate the client's dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulse and the client's foot is pale. The nurse suspects compartment syndrome. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?

Promptly inform the primary provider.

Reassess the client's neurovascular status in 15 minutes.

Warm the client's foot and determine whether circulation improves.

Reposition the client with the affected foot dependent.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Explanation:
A. Promptly inform the primary provider:
Explanation: Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. If a nurse suspects compartment syndrome due to symptoms like severe unrelieved pain, absent pulses, and pale extremities, the most appropriate action is to promptly inform the primary healthcare provider. The provider can assess the situation, order necessary diagnostic tests, and potentially arrange for emergent interventions like fasciotomy to relieve compartment pressure.

B. Reassess the client's neurovascular status in 15 minutes:
Explanation: Waiting for 15 minutes to reassess the client's neurovascular status is not appropriate in this situation. Compartment syndrome can progress rapidly, leading to irreversible tissue damage within a short time frame. Delaying assessment and intervention can result in significant complications.

C. Warm the client's foot and determine whether circulation improves:
Explanation: Warming the foot is not appropriate in this context. Compartment syndrome is caused by increased pressure within the muscle compartment, leading to compromised circulation. Warming the foot will not address the underlying issue of elevated compartment pressure and can potentially worsen the condition by dilating blood vessels and increasing pressure further.

D. Reposition the client with the affected foot dependent:
Explanation: Repositioning the client with the affected foot dependent is contraindicated in compartment syndrome. Elevating the limb can worsen the condition by further restricting blood flow. The limb should be kept at or slightly below the level of the heart to maintain adequate perfusion until medical intervention can be initiated.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

A. Client with restricted activity - Patients with limited mobility are at a higher risk for pressure ulcers because they are unable to change positions easily, leading to prolonged pressure on certain body parts.

B. Client who can ambulate - Patients who can ambulate have the ability to shift their body weight and change positions, reducing the risk of prolonged pressure on specific areas. Ambulation can improve circulation and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers

C. Client with a cast - Clients with casts are often limited in their ability to move or change positions, making them susceptible to pressure ulcers in areas where the cast creates pressure points on the skin.

D. Client with good nutrition - Proper nutrition is essential for overall health, including skin health. Adequate nutrition promotes wound healing and tissue repair. Good nutrition is not a risk factor for pressure ulcers; in fact, it can contribute to preventing them by maintaining healthy skin.
E. Client with urinary and fecal incontinence - Incontinence can lead to moisture on the skin, making it more susceptible to breakdown. Prolonged exposure to moisture, especially in the presence of urine or feces, can increase the risk of pressure ulcer development.

A. Increased thickness of the subcutaneous skin layer B. Changes in the character and quantity of bacterial skin flora C. Increased time required for wound healing D. Increased elasticity of the skin

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Increased thickness of the subcutaneous skin layer - Aging typically results in thinning of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, making older adults more vulnerable to pressure ulcers rather than having increased thickness.

B. Changes in the character and quantity of bacterial skin flora - This is a common age-related change; however, it is not directly related to the course of treatment for a sacral pressure ulcer. Proper wound care can mitigate the impact of changes in skin flora.

C. Increased time required for wound healing - Aging often leads to a decline in the body's ability to repair and regenerate tissues, which can prolong the healing process of wounds, including pressure ulcers. Older adults may experience delayed wound healing compared to younger individuals.

D. Increased elasticity of the skin - Skin elasticity decreases with age, making older adults more susceptible to skin breakdown and pressure ulcers due to reduced skin resilience and ability to redistribute pressure. Increased elasticity would not affect the course of treatment positively but rather negatively in this context.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse understands that certain patients are more susceptible to pressure ulcer development. Which clients should the nurse identify as being at an increased risk for this health problem? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

An 82-year-old diabetic client is being treated in the hospital for a sacral pressure ulcer. What age-related change is most likely to affect the client's course of treatment?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a lactose intolerant client at high risk for osteoporosis about dietary measures she can take to increase her calcium level. Which of the following foods should the nurse advise the client to increase in her diet?

A provider orders a diagnostic test for a client with a urinary tract infection. The test will determine the strain of bacteria causing the infection and determine the antibiotic that will treat the infection. The nurse knows this test is called which of the following?

A nurse is caring for a client who is malnourished with poor skin integrity. The nurse should utilize which type of dressing to protect the client's bony prominences?

A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a history of gout and recurring uric acid kidney stones. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is completing a risk assessment on a new admission. Which standardized scale will the nurse use to calculate the client's risk for pressure ulcers?

A female client has been experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections. What health education should the nurse provide to this client?

A gerontologic nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about integumentary changes that occur in older adults, such as thinning skin. How should these students best integrate these changes into care planning?

A nurse in a busy emergency department provides care for many clients who present with contusions, strains, or sprains. What are treatment modalities that are common to all of these musculoskeletal injuries? Select all that apply.