A nurse is caring for a client who had a fiberglass cast applied 30 min ago for a fractured tibia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Maintain affected leg elevated on several pillows.
Instruct the client to wiggle the toes once every 4 hr.
Use a hair dryer to promote drying of the cast.
Apply heat to the client's cast to provide pain relief.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should maintain the affected leg elevated on several pillows to reduce swelling and promote venous return. Elevating the leg helps minimize edema, which can be beneficial for the healing process and overall comfort of the client.
Choice B rationale:
Instructing the client to wiggle the toes once every 4 hours is not necessary and may cause discomfort to the fractured tibia. Toe wiggling does not provide any significant benefit in this context and could potentially disrupt the healing process.
Choice C rationale:
Using a hair dryer to promote drying of the cast is not recommended. Applying heat to the fiberglass cast may alter its integrity and lead to uneven drying, potentially weakening the cast's support.
Choice D rationale:
Applying heat to the client's cast for pain relief is not advisable. Heat may also weaken the cast material and is unlikely to provide effective pain relief for a fractured tibia. Instead, the nurse should follow the prescribed pain management plan and use appropriate pain medications as ordered by the healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
"I changed the floor plan of our home to accommodate my father's wheelchair.”.
Choice A rationale:
This statement indicates acceptance of the role change as a caregiver for the aging parents. Making changes to the home to accommodate the father's wheelchair demonstrates the client's willingness to adapt and provide a suitable environment for caregiving.
Choice B rationale:
Feeling stressed out and overwhelmed does not necessarily indicate acceptance of the role change. It may reflect the challenges and emotional burden that come with caregiving but does not necessarily signify acceptance.
Choice C rationale:
Expressing frustration with caregiving does not necessarily indicate acceptance of the role change. It is normal to feel frustrated at times, especially when dealing with chronic illnesses, but acceptance involves embracing the responsibilities that come with the role.
Choice D rationale:
While the statement shows a willingness to learn and adapt to caregiving, it does not explicitly indicate acceptance of the role change. Acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing the new responsibilities and challenges fully.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Papilledema refers to swelling of the optic disc in the eye, which can occur due to increased intracranial pressure. While it may be present in cases of basilar skull fracture, it is not a reliable finding for determining the discharge of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Choice B rationale:
The halo sign is a reliable finding for determining that the nasal discharge is cerebrospinal fluid. The halo sign is characterized by a ring of blood surrounded by a clear or yellowish fluid (CSF) on a dressing or tissue. This occurs because blood from the fracture mixes with the clear CSF, creating a distinct appearance.
Choice C rationale:
Racoon's eyes, also known as periorbital ecchymosis, is a term used to describe bruising around the eyes. While it can be seen in basilar skull fractures, it is not specific to cerebrospinal fluid leakage and, therefore, not reliable for identifying the nasal discharge as CSF.
Choice D rationale:
Elevated white blood cells (WBCs) in the nasal discharge can indicate infection, inflammation, or an immune response. However, it does not provide direct evidence that the discharge is cerebrospinal fluid, so this is not a reliable finding for determining the nature of the nasal discharge in this context.
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