A nurse is caring for a toddler who had a cast applied 2 hours ago due to multiple fractures of the right hand.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report immediately to the charge nurse?
The child is not attempting to move her right arm or fingers.
The fingertips of the right hand are swollen and bruised.
The fingers on the right hand have a capillary refill of 4 seconds.
The parent reports the child will not keep the arm elevated on the pillow.
The Correct Answer is C
A nurse caring for a toddler who had a cast applied 2 hours ago due to multiple fractures of the right hand should report immediately to the charge nurse if the fingers on the right hand have a capillary refill of 4 seconds.
This could indicate that there is a problem with circulation.
Choice A is not an answer because it is not unusual for a child to not attempt to move her right arm or fingers after having a cast applied.
Choice B is not an answer because it is not unusual for the fingertips of the right hand to be swollen and bruised after having a cast applied.
Choice D is not an answer because it is not unusual for a child to not keep their arm elevated on a pillow after having a cast applied.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Skeletal traction is a type of traction that uses pins, wires, or tongs to apply a pulling force directly to the bone.
This can help align and stabilize a fracture while it heals.
Choice B is not the best answer because muscle traction is not a type of traction.
Choice C is not the best answer because joint traction is not a type of traction.
Choice D is not the best answer because skin traction uses adhesive strips or elastic bandages to apply a pulling force to the skin, rather than directly to the bone.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Compartment syndrome is a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment causes muscle and nerve damage along with pain.
One of the symptoms of compartment syndrome is severe pain that increases with the stretching of muscles.
Choice A is not correct because blue-looking nail beds on the toes are not a symptom of compartment syndrome.
Choice B is not correct because a weak femoral pulse is not a symptom of compartment syndrome.
Choice C is not correct because the inability to plantarflex the foot is not a symptom of compartment syndrome.
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