A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

Provide reassurance to the client and parents.

Perform a neurovascular assessment.

Apply an ice pack to the casted leg

Explain the discharge instructions to the client and parents.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Provide reassurance to the client and parents: While reassurance is important, it is not the priority action when caring for an adolescent client with a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Ensuring adequate neurovascular status is critical to prevent complications associated with impaired circulation or nerve function.
B. Perform a neurovascular assessment: This is the correct action and the priority when caring for a client with a newly applied cast. The nurse should assess the client's neurovascular status by evaluating circulation, sensation, and movement distal to the casted limb. Changes in color, temperature, sensation, or movement could indicate impaired circulation or nerve function, which require immediate intervention to prevent complications such as compartment syndrome.
C. Apply an ice pack to the casted leg: While applying ice may help reduce swelling and discomfort, it is not the priority action when caring for a client with a newly applied cast. Additionally, applying ice directly to the cast may not effectively reach the skin and underlying tissues, potentially causing discomfort without providing significant benefit.
D. Explain the discharge instructions to the client and parents: Providing discharge instructions is important for client education, but it is not the priority action immediately after applying a cast. Ensuring the client's safety and well-being by performing a neurovascular assessment takes precedence to identify and address any potential complications associated with the cast.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. This statement reflects guilt or concern over potential harm to the child, which may be distressing but does not specifically indicate symptoms of PTSD related to combat exposure.
B. This statement describes nightmares or intrusive thoughts related to traumatic events, which are common symptoms of PTSD. The content of the dreams suggests re-experiencing of traumatic events, which is characteristic of PTSD.
C. This statement reflects hypervigilance and paranoia, common symptoms of PTSD. The client's behavior of checking rooms for potential threats indicates a heightened state of arousal and persistent fear related to past combat experiences.
D. While involvement in combat and actions such as killing enemy soldiers may contribute to the development of PTSD, this statement does not directly reflect symptoms of the disorder. Instead, it describes a specific event from the client's military experience. Symptoms of PTSD typically involve re-experiencing, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal.

A. Require staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination B. Provide an in-service on medication administration to at the nurses C. Develop a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors D. Renew the events lead up to each medication administration error

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination: While competency assessments are essential, initiating this as the first strategy may not address the root causes of medication administration errors. It's important to first understand the specific factors contributing to errors by reviewing the events leading up to each error before implementing competency assessments. This allows for a targeted approach to addressing gaps in knowledge or skills related to medication administration.
B. Providing an in-service on medication administration to all nurses: While education and training are valuable components of error reduction strategies, providing an in-service as the first step may not address the underlying system issues contributing to medication errors. Education should complement other interventions aimed at improving the medication administration process, such as system redesign or standardization of practices.
C. Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors: Implementing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is important for learning from mistakes and preventing recurrence. However, developing such a program should be informed by a thorough analysis of the events leading to errors. Without understanding the root causes, it may be challenging to develop effective improvement initiatives.
D. Reviewing the events leading up to each medication administration error: This strategy is the most appropriate initial step. Conducting a detailed review of each error allows the committee to identify patterns, common factors, and system issues contributing to medication errors. By understanding the specific circumstances surrounding each error, the committee can develop targeted interventions to address root causes and prevent future errors. This approach aligns with the principles of continuous quality improvement, focusing on data-driven analysis and proactive problem-solving.

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A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who was involved in heavy combat and observed war casualties. The nurse should suspect that the client is suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if the client makes which of the following statements?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is serving on a continuous quality improvement (CQI) committee that has been assigned to develop a program to reduce the number of medication administration errors following a sentinel event at the facility. Which of the following strategies should the committee plan to initiate first?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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