A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a new plaster cast on her right arm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Place a warm, moist heat pack on the cast.
Position the casted arm in a dependent position.
Move the casted arm with a firm grasp.
Administer diphenhydramine to relieve itching.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Place a warm, moist heat pack on the cast: Incorrect. Moisture can damage the integrity of a plaster cast, and heat can increase swelling.
B. Position the casted arm in a dependent position: Incorrect. Keeping the arm elevated helps reduce swelling and pain.
C. Move the casted arm with a firm grasp: Incorrect. A firm grasp can cause further injury or discomfort. It’s important to handle the casted limb gently.
D. Administer diphenhydramine to relieve itching: Correct. Itching is common under a new cast, and diphenhydramine can help manage this symptom without risking damage to the cast.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Ribbon Like, foul-smelling stools: Hirschsprung disease is characterized by a lack of nerve cells in parts of the colon, leading to obstruction and resulting in narrow, ribbon-like stools due to the passage through a narrowed section of bowel.
B. Chronic hunger: This is not typical for Hirschsprung disease. Children may actually have a poor appetite due to discomfort and constipation.
C. Projectile vomiting: Projectile vomiting is more commonly associated with pyloric stenosis, not Hirschsprung disease.
D. Rigid abdomen: While abdominal distention can occur due to severe constipation and fecal impaction, a rigid abdomen is more indicative of a more acute or severe abdominal condition, such as peritonitis or severe bowel obstruction.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Sodium 142 mEq/L: This is within the normal range for sodium (135-145 mEq/L) and does not indicate a problem that needs immediate attention.
B. Urine specific gravity 1.025: This value is on the higher end of the normal range for urine specific gravity (1.010-1.030) and indicates concentration of urine, which can occur in mild dehydration. It is not critical but indicates the need for monitoring.
C. Potassium 2.5 mEq/L: This is below the normal range for potassium (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and indicates hypokalemia, which can cause serious cardiac issues and muscle weakness. It is a priority to correct this imbalance to prevent complications.
D. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL: This is within the normal range for blood glucose levels (70-110 mg/dL) for children and does not indicate an immediate concern related to dehydration.
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