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 D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Placing the client in a low Fowler's position with the knees bent (Choice A) can help reduce tension on the abdominal incision, but it is not the priority when evisceration is present. The focus should be on immediate intervention and preparation for surgery.
Choice B rationale:
Covering the client's wound with a sterile saline-soaked dressing (Choice B) is essential to prevent further contamination and maintain moisture in the exposed tissue. This step helps protect the wound until the client can be taken to the operating room.
Choice C rationale:
Notifying the surgeon about the finding (Choice C) is important, but it should not be done before taking more immediate action. Evisceration requires prompt intervention and transfer to surgery, and the surgeon will be involved once the client is ready for the operation.
Choice D rationale:
Preparing the client for transfer to surgery (Choice D) is the correct sequence of steps in this situation. Evisceration is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent complications and infection. The nurse should stabilize the wound with a sterile dressing and then prepare the client for surgery promptly.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Increasing the intake of high-fiber foods is not relevant to managing dry mouth caused by benztropine. While fiber is essential for digestive health, it does not directly address the issue of dry mouth.
Choice B rationale:
Chewing sugarless gum can be helpful in promoting saliva production, but in Parkinson's disease, it can exacerbate swallowing difficulties and increase the risk of aspiration.
Choice C rationale:
Moistening the mouth with lemon-glycerin swabs is the appropriate recommendation. Lemon-glycerin swabs can help lubricate the mouth and provide relief from dryness, which is a common side effect of benztropine, an anticholinergic medication.
Choice D rationale:
Rinsing the mouth with nystatin is used to treat oral candidiasis (thrush), a fungal infection, and is not relevant to managing dry mouth caused by benztropine.
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