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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: An apical pulse rate different than the radial pulse rate is known as a pulse deficit, which can indicate atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmias, but it is not related to paradoxical blood pressure or constrictive pericarditis.
Choice B reason: An increase in heart rate by 20% when standing is indicative of orthostatic hypotension, not paradoxical blood pressure. This condition involves a drop in blood pressure upon standing, leading to a compensatory increase in heart rate.
Choice C reason: A drop in systolic BP by 20 mm Hg when moving from a lying to a sitting position is another indicator of orthostatic hypotension, not paradoxical blood pressure.
Choice D reason: The correct answer is d because a drop in systolic BP of more than 10 mm Hg on inspiration, known as pulsus paradoxus, is a characteristic finding in constrictive pericarditis. This occurs due to the impaired filling of the heart during inspiration, leading to a significant drop in systolic blood pressure.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Telling the partner to call the nurse to push the button is not appropriate. PCA is designed to allow the client to self-administer pain medication based on their own perception of pain. Only the client should press the button to avoid the risk of over-sedation and respiratory depression.
Choice B reason: Encouraging the partner to press the button while the client is asleep can lead to over-medication and serious complications such as respiratory depression.
Choice C reason: Asking the partner why they think more medication is needed when the client is asleep does not address the underlying issue of inappropriate use of the PCA pump.
Choice D reason: The correct answer is d because the client should be the one to decide when more medication is needed. This ensures that the client receives the appropriate amount of pain relief based on their individual needs and prevents the risk of over-sedation.
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