A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for four clients. For which of the following clients should the nurse initiate airborne precautions?

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.

The correct answer is: d. Remove the staple from the skin after both sides are visible.

Explanation: This statement is correct because the staple should be removed only when both sides are visible, ensuring that it has been fully lifted away from the skin. This helps minimize tissue damage and pain while preventing infection.

Choice A Rationale: Lifting the staple remover when squeezing the handle could potentially disrupt the proper angle required for effective staple removal. Staples are designed to be removed in a specific manner to minimize tissue trauma and discomfort to the patient. If the staple remover is lifted while squeezing the handle, it may cause uneven pressure on the staple legs, leading to improper removal. This could result in tissue damage, increased pain for the patient, and potentially leave parts of the staple embedded in the skin, increasing the risk of infection or delayed healing.

Choice B Rationale: Avoiding completely closing the handle after squeezing may not provide sufficient force to properly remove the staple from the skin. Staples are designed to be squeezed closed completely to ensure that they are securely grasped and removed from the incision site. Failing to fully close the handle after squeezing may result in inadequate removal of the staple, leaving parts of it behind in the skin. This can increase the risk of infection, tissue irritation, and delayed wound healing. Additionally, incomplete closure of the handle may lead to discomfort for the patient as the staple removal process may be prolonged or require additional attempts.

Choice C Rationale: Expecting the staples to bend at each outer side during removal is incorrect. Staples are designed to bend in the middle when properly removed from the skin. If the outer sides of the staple were expected to bend, it may indicate improper technique or the use of a faulty staple remover. Staples are intended to be removed smoothly without excessive bending or twisting to minimize trauma to the surrounding tissue and reduce the risk of complications such as infection or delayed wound healing. Anticipating bending at the outer sides could lead to unnecessary manipulation of the staple and increase the likelihood of tissue damage or incomplete removal.

Choice D (Correct Answer) Rationale: Removing the staple from the skin only after both sides are visible is the appropriate technique to ensure proper removal without causing unnecessary trauma or discomfort to the patient. When both sides of the staple are visible, it indicates that the staple has been adequately lifted away from the skin, reducing the risk of tissue damage or incomplete removal. This technique allows for a smooth and controlled extraction of the staple, minimizing pain and promoting optimal wound healing. By waiting until both sides are visible, the nurse can confirm that the staple has been fully disengaged from the tissue, reducing the likelihood of complications such as infection or skin irritation.