A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is at risk for developing foot drop due to immobility. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend to include in the plan?
Flex the client's feet using pillows.
Support the client's feet with foot boots.
Place a hand roll under the client's heels.
Remove ankle-foot orthotic devices at bedtime.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B: "Support the client's feet with foot boots."
Choice A rationale:
Flexing the client's feet using pillows might not be sufficient to prevent foot drop. Foot drop is a condition where the client is unable to dorsiflex their foot, and using pillows alone may not provide adequate support to prevent this condition.
Choice B rationale:
Supporting the client's feet with foot boots is the most appropriate intervention to prevent foot drop due to immobility. Foot boots are specifically designed to hold the foot in a dorsiflexed position, preventing the calf muscles from tightening and causing foot drop.
Choice C rationale:
Placing a hand roll under the client's heels might offer some relief, but it's not the most effective intervention for preventing foot drop. Hand rolls are generally used to prevent footdrop by keeping the ankles in a neutral position, rather than solely supporting the heels.
Choice D rationale:
Removing ankle-foot orthotic devices at bedtime is not recommended if the client is at risk for developing foot drop. Ankle-foot orthotic devices are designed to provide continuous support to the feet and prevent muscle contractures. Removing them at bedtime could compromise the effectiveness of the intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. The client has tenderness and warmth in their calf.
Choice A rationale:
The client's self-reported incisional pain level of 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 is important information to assess postoperative recovery, but it is not the priority finding to report among the choices. Pain management is crucial, but potential complications that could be more urgent should be addressed first.
Choice B rationale:
Increased nausea and chills are concerning postoperative findings, but they could be related to the body's response to surgery, anesthesia, or pain medications. While these symptoms should be monitored and managed, they are not as high-priority as potential complications involving the calf.
Choice C rationale:
An oral temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) indicates a fever and is also a concerning finding in the postoperative period. Infection could be a possible cause, and the provider should be informed. However, compared to tenderness and warmth in the calf, which could suggest deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the fever is of slightly lower priority.
Choice D rationale:
Tenderness and warmth in the calf are the priority findings to report. These symptoms raise concern about the possibility of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication after surgery. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, commonly in the legs. If left untreated, it can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where the clot travels to the lungs. Immediate assessment and intervention are necessary to rule out or address this potentially critical complication.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C: "I should remove constrictive clothing prior to measuring my blood pressure."
Choice A rationale:
"I will wait 15 minutes after drinking coffee to measure my blood pressure." Caffeine intake can temporarily elevate blood pressure, so waiting 15 minutes after drinking coffee is a good practice. However, this is not the most relevant instruction to ensure accurate blood pressure measurement.
Choice B rationale:
"I will measure my blood pressure while my arm is elevated above my heart." Measuring blood pressure with the arm elevated above the heart can result in artificially low readings. The arm should be supported at heart level for accurate results. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
Choice C rationale:
"I should remove constrictive clothing prior to measuring my blood pressure." This is the correct choice. Constrictive clothing can impact blood flow and give inaccurate readings. Removing tight clothing ensures the blood pressure cuff can be appropriately placed and that the measurements are reliable.
Choice D rationale:
"I should measure my blood pressure immediately after eating breakfast." Blood pressure can be affected by food intake, so it's recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before measuring blood pressure. This choice is not accurate as immediate post-breakfast measurements may not provide accurate results.
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