A nurse is caring for a 9-year-old child at a clinic.

Exhibits

The nurse reviews the assessment findings.

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Assessment

Respirations easy and unlabored. Abdomen non-distended. Right forearm and fingers are edematous. Ecchymotic area noted on outer aspect of the forearm. Radial pulse +2. Fingers slightly cool to touch. Child can move fingers and reports a mild "tingling" sensation. Child verbalizes a pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10. Multiple areas of bruising are noted on lower extremities in various stages of healing.

Vital Signs

Temperature 36.8 C (98.2 F)

Heart rate 102/min

Respiratory rate 22/min

BP 100/60 mm Hg

Oxygen saturation 98% on room air

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Compartment Syndrome: Compartment syndrome is a limb-threatening condition that occurs when increased pressure within a muscle compartment impairs circulation and nerve function. The child has a nondisplaced fracture of both the radius and ulna, along with edema, ecchymosis, and fingers that are cool to touch, all of which are early signs of compromised perfusion.
• Tingling Sensation: Tingling (paresthesia) is an early neurological sign of impaired sensory function often seen in the early stages of compartment syndrome. This child verbalizes a mild tingling in the fingers, which indicates nerve compression due to increased pressure within the forearm compartments.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices

• Paresthesia: Tingling is the hallmark symptom of paresthesia, but paresthesia is a symptom, not a disease process. The nurse must determine the underlying cause of the altered sensation, which in this situation is likely compartment syndrome.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): DVT typically presents with unilateral leg swelling, warmth, pain, and sometimes redness—not forearm injury symptoms. The child has a forearm fracture and bruises on the lower extremities in different healing stages, but there's no localized swelling, erythema, or immobility in the legs to support a DVT diagnosis.
• Pain Level: A pain score of 4 out of 10 is not severe enough to support compartment syndrome or any acute vascular crisis alone. Pain that is out of proportion to the injury and unrelieved by medication would raise concern.
• Mobility: The child is ambulatory and able to move their fingers and limbs, which reduces the likelihood of venous stasis a major risk factor for DVT. In the absence of prolonged immobility or systemic hypercoagulability, there is minimal reason to suspect a thrombotic event based on mobility alone.

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Self-harm: The client expresses suicidal ideation influenced by delusions, indicating a strong risk of acting on these impulses. In schizophrenia, command hallucinations are particularly dangerous when they involve instructions to harm oneself.
• Command hallucinations: The client reports hearing voices directing them to act, which is a hallmark of command hallucinations. These are associated with a heightened risk of harm to self or others, especially when the client appears fearful or paranoid, as in this case.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Palming medications: Although the client is suspicious and refuses medication (“I’m not letting you poison me”), there is no evidence yet of palming or hiding pills. The agitation could indicate refusal, but not covert medication avoidance.
• Poor hygiene: While the client shows confusion regarding bathing and clothing, these are not the most immediate safety threats compared to suicide risk. Poor hygiene is a concern in schizophrenia but not the most critical issue at this time.
• Impaired memory: Impaired memory is evident (e.g., forgetting routines), but this is not directly linked to a life-threatening risk. Memory issues can affect functioning but don’t explain the urgency of the client’s safety threat.
• Distractibility: The client appears distracted at times (e.g., during dressing), but distractibility alone does not account for the risk of self-harm. It contributes to disorganization but is not the main safety concern.