A nurse is caring for a client who has a fractured right femur and is in balanced suspension traction. The client is reporting pain from muscle spasms. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Obtain a prescription to adjust the weight amount.

Realign the client's position.

Offer a muscle relaxant to the client.

Administer an opioid analgesic.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

B. Muscle spasms can sometimes be triggered or exacerbated by poor positioning or pressure on certain areas of the body. Realigning the client's position will help relieve muscle spasms by reducing pressure or tension on the affected muscles.

A. Adjusting the weight amount in traction may help alleviate pain and muscle spasms by reducing tension on the affected limb. However, realignment should be done first.

C. Muscle relaxants can help alleviate muscle spasms and associated pain by reducing muscle tone and tension. However, realignment should be done first.

D. Opioid analgesics are potent pain relievers that can effectively manage moderate to severe pain, including pain from muscle spasms. However, that should not be the first intervention.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

C. Asking the client to wiggle their toes assesses motor function and nerve integrity. In a neurovascular assessment, intact nerve function is crucial, as impaired nerve function can manifest as weakness or paralysis.

A. This technique assesses the circulation in the lower extremity by checking for the presence, strength, and symmetry of the pulse. However, it assesses for vascular component proximal to the fracture.

B. Edema in the calf muscle is mostly used as a marker for deep venous thrombosis. Although it can affect circulation. It may be a late sign.

D. Significant differences in thigh circumference between the affected and unaffected limb may indicate vascular compromise or other issues. This is however, a late sign of vascular compromise.

A. Muscle spasms B. Hip pallor C. Leg abduction D. Leg lengthening

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Muscle spasms can occur in response to the hip fracture as the body attempts to protect the injured area. Spasms may cause pain and muscle rigidity in the affected hip.
B. Pallor refers to paleness of the skin. While hip fractures can result in various signs and symptoms such as pain, swelling, and bruising, hip pallor specifically is not typically associated with a hip fracture.
C. Leg abduction refers to moving the leg away from the midline of the body. In the case of a hip fracture, the affected leg may be held in adduction (closer to the midline) due to pain and muscle guarding.
D. Leg lengthening is not typically associated with a hip fracture. In fact, a hip fracture can often lead to apparent leg shortening due to displacement or angulation of the fractured bone.

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

A nurse is caring for a client who has a fractured right femur and is in balanced suspension traction. The client is reporting pain from muscle spasms. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has an unrepaired femur fracture of the midshaft. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when performing an assessment of the client's neurovascular status?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who has a hip fracture. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and in skeletal traction. When assessing the client, the nurse should expect which of the following findings? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is preparing to witness the patient signing the operative consent form when the patient says, "I don't understand what the doctor said about the surgery." Which action should the nurse take next?

A nurse is teaching a client who has a pelvic fracture about manifestations of fat embolism syndrome. The nurse should include which of the following findings as an early manifestation?

A nurse is teaching a client who is scheduled for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to screen for osteoporosis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is completing discharge teaching with a client following arthroscopic knee surgery. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a fracture of the right tibia and a fiberglass cast. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client who is 1-day postoperative following spinal fusion. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The nurse assesses a patient who had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago. Which information about the patient is most important to communicate to the health care provider?