A nurse is caring for a client who has balanced skeletal traction with a Thomas splint for the treatment of a fracture of the femur. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent skin breakdown?
Apply lotion to the skin around the edges of the splint.
Turn the client every 4 hr.
Pad the top of the splint with protective dressings.
The nurse should apply a footplate to the bed.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Applying lotion to the skin around the edges of the splint may increase moisture and friction, which can contribute to skin breakdown. It is better to use protective dressings to reduce friction.
Choice B reason: Turning the client every 4 hours is not frequent enough. Clients in skeletal traction should be repositioned frequently, typically every 2 hours, to prevent pressure ulcers and maintain skin integrity.
Choice C reason: The correct answer is c because padding the top of the splint with protective dressings helps reduce friction and pressure on the skin, preventing skin breakdown and ensuring the client's comfort.
Choice D reason: Applying a footplate to the bed is not directly related to preventing skin breakdown. The primary focus should be on reducing friction and pressure around the splint.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by long-term sun exposure. It is usually not purplish-brown and is more common in fair-skinned individuals. These lesions are considered pre-cancerous and can develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. The description of purplish-brown lesions in the context of an AIDS diagnosis is more indicative of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Choice B reason: Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. It often presents as purplish-brown, red, or bluish lesions on the skin or mucous membranes and is commonly associated with AIDS. The multiple, widespread nature of the lesions described aligns with the typical presentation of Kaposi's sarcoma, making it the most likely diagnosis in this scenario.
Choice C reason: Actinic dermatitis, also known as photodermatitis, is an inflammatory reaction of the skin to sunlight. It does not typically present as purplish-brown lesions. This condition manifests as redness, swelling, and possibly blistering in sun-exposed areas. The description given is not consistent with actinic dermatitis and points more towards Kaposi's sarcoma in an AIDS client.
Choice D reason: Basal cell carcinoma does not usually present with multiple, widespread purplish-brown lesions. It is typically a localized lesion that appears as a pearly or waxy bump. The description of multiple, widespread lesions is more characteristic of Kaposi's sarcoma in clients with AIDS, making basal cell carcinoma an unlikely diagnosis in this context.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition characterized by both excessive clotting and excessive bleeding. The clotting cascade is inappropriately activated throughout the body, leading to the formation of numerous small blood clots in the blood vessels. These clots consume clotting factors and platelets, which can then lead to excessive bleeding. This paradoxical combination of thrombosis and bleeding is a hallmark of DIC.
Choice B reason: In DIC, platelet consumption exceeds production. The formation of numerous clots uses up platelets faster than they can be produced, which can result in thrombocytopenia and bleeding. Therefore, a progressive increase in platelet production is not an expected finding in DIC.
Choice C reason: Immediate sodium and fluid retention is not a feature of DIC. This condition primarily involves the clotting and bleeding mechanisms, not fluid balance or sodium levels.
Choice D reason: In DIC, clotting factors are consumed in the formation of numerous clots. This leads to a deficiency of clotting factors, contributing to the bleeding tendency seen in this condition. Increased clotting factors would not be expected in a patient with DIC.
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