A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a short arm cast for a fractured wrist. Which of the following findings indicates impaired venous return in the affected arm?
Auscultation of lungs revealing wheezing
A bounding distal pulse
Fever
Pain unrelieved by opioid analgesic
The Correct Answer is D
a. Auscultation of lungs revealing wheezing is not related to venous return in the affected arm. Wheezing is
a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing and is usually a sign of a respiratory problem.
b. A bounding distal pulse indicates strong arterial blood flow, which is not a sign of impaired venous return. Impaired venous return would more likely result in a weak or absent pulse.
c. Fever could indicate infection but is not specific to impaired venous return. It's a systemic sign that may or may not be related to the cast or the fracture.
d. Pain that is unrelieved by opioid analgesics can be a sign of compartment syndrome, which is a serious complication that can result from impaired venous return and increased pressure within the muscle compartments. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
To prevent autonomic dysreflexia, the nurse should take the intervention of preventing bladder distention. Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious medical problem that can happen if a person has injured the spinal cord in their upper back¹. It makes their blood pressure dangerously high and can lead to a stroke, seizure, or cardiac arrest¹. One way to lower the chance of complications is to use the bathroom on a regular schedule and keep the bladder and bowels from becoming too full.
a. Monitoring for elevated blood pressure is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
b. Providing analgesia for headaches is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
d. Elevating the client's head is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
An appropriate nursing action for a client who is restless following a traumatic brain injury with increased intracranial pressure is to reduce stimuli. This can help calm the client and prevent further increases in intracranial pressure. The nurse can reduce stimuli by minimizing noise and light in the client's environment and limiting the number of visitors.
Administering opioids, applying restraints, and blackening the room are not appropriate nursing actions for this situation. Administering opioids can cause respiratory depression and is not recommended for clients with increased intracranial pressure. Applying restraints can increase agitation and is not recommended for clients who are restless. Blackening the room can disorient the client and is not recommended.
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