A nurse is caring for an adolescent following the application of a plaster cast for a fractured right tibia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Discourage the client from ambulating.
Use a hair dryer on a hot setting to dry the cast.
Keep the client’s leg in a dependent position.
Perform a neurovascular check of the lower extremities.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Discouraging the client from ambulating is not the best action. While it’s important to limit weight-bearing activities initially, movement is encouraged to promote circulation and prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis.
Choice B rationale
Using a hair dryer on a hot setting to dry the cast is not recommended. Heat can cause the cast to dry out and crack, and it can also burn the skin.
Choice C rationale
Keeping the client’s leg in a dependent position is not advisable. This can lead to increased swelling and pain, and potentially delay healing.
Choice D rationale
Performing a neurovascular check of the lower extremities is the correct action. This involves assessing for pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and paralysis. These checks are crucial for monitoring for complications such as compartment syndrome and ensuring the cast is not too tight.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Smoothing the rough edges of the cast can help maintain skin integrity and prevent skin irritation or injury.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring capillary refill and color of nail beds of the left hand is important to assess the circulation to the hand and ensure that the cast is not too tight.
Choice D rationale
Monitoring for signs of pain can help detect complications such as compartment syndrome, which is a serious condition that can occur if pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels.
Choice E rationale
Assessing for numbness, tingling, or decreased sensation of the left hand is important as these can be signs of nerve damage or compression.
Choice B rationale
Wearing sterile gloves when touching or removing the cast is not typically necessary. The outside of a cast is not a sterile environment, and healthcare providers do not usually wear sterile gloves when handling it.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Withholding insulin when feeling nauseous is not recommended. Insulin is necessary for the body to use glucose for energy. Without insulin, glucose stays in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Choice B rationale
Testing the urine for ketones is important in managing type 1 diabetes. When the body does not have enough insulin, it breaks down fat as fuel. This process produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones, eventually leading to diabetic ketoacidosis if untreated.
Choice C rationale
Limiting fluid intake during mealtime is not specifically related to the management of type 1 diabetes. It’s important to stay hydrated, but it doesn’t directly affect blood glucose levels.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the provider if blood glucose levels are over 350 mg/dL is not the only time medical advice should be sought. Any persistent, unusual, or extreme blood glucose reading should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.