A nurse assisting with the care of a client who is admitted to the medical-surgical unit.

The nurse is reviewing the client's laboratory findings and vital signs.

Select the 5 findings that require immediate follow-up.

A) Temporary memory loss: Temporary memory loss is a well-known and common side effect following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Clients may experience short-term memory issues, such as forgetting events that occurred around the time of the procedure or difficulties recalling information. This side effect is usually temporary and tends to resolve as the brain recovers from the procedure.

B) Voice alteration: Voice alteration is not a typical side effect of electroconvulsive therapy. ECT primarily affects brain function, particularly memory and cognitive processes, and does not have a direct effect on the voice or vocal cords.

C) Tingling of the scalp: Tingling of the scalp is not a common adverse reaction to
electroconvulsive therapy. While there may be some minor physical sensations or discomfort during the procedure, tingling is not a typical side effect associated with ECT.

D) Neck pain: Neck pain is not a usual adverse reaction of electroconvulsive therapy. Some discomfort might occur after the procedure due to muscle tension or the positioning during the therapy, but it is not a common or prominent side effect like memory loss.

A) "The client should use a hair dryer on a warm setting to relieve itching inside the cast.": Using a hair dryer on a warm setting to relieve itching inside the cast is not recommended because it could potentially lead to burns or skin irritation. The client should avoid inserting objects inside the cast to scratch, as this could damage the skin or cause an infection.


B) "The client can shower with the cast after 24 hr.": A plaster cast is not waterproof, and the client should avoid getting it wet. Although the cast may feel dry on the outside after 24 hours, it typically takes about 48 hours or longer for a plaster cast to fully dry and harden. Showering with a plaster cast is not safe, as moisture could cause skin irritation or lead to the development of sores or infection.

C) "The client’s extremity should be elevated after the cast is applied.": Elevating the extremity after a cast is applied is a key teaching point to help reduce swelling and improve circulation. This is especially important during the first 24 to 48 hours after cast application. Elevation helps to prevent or manage swelling, which can be a common complication after an injury and cast application.

D) "The client should keep the cast covered until it is dry.": While it is important to keep a cast clean and dry during the drying process, the cast should not be covered with plastic or other materials that could trap moisture. The cast needs air circulation to dry properly, and covering it could lead to the cast becoming too moist, increasing the risk of skin issues or infection.