A nurse is developing a plan of care to prevent skin breakdown for a client with a spinal cord injury and paralysis. Which of the following nursing actions are appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A reason:

Measuring the circumference of the thigh can be part of the assessment for swelling or edema, which may indicate compartment syndrome or other issues. However, it is not a direct measure of neurovascular status, which focuses on blood flow and nerve function.

Choice B reason:

Palpating the femoral pulse is important for assessing blood flow to the leg, but for a midshaft femur fracture, more distal pulses such as the popliteal, dorsalis pedis, or posterior tibial pulses would be more indicative of the neurovascular status of the affected limb.

Choice C reason:

Monitoring the client's calf for edema is a useful technique for identifying signs of swelling that could suggest complications like deep vein thrombosis or compartment syndrome. However, it does not provide a complete picture of neurovascular integrity, which also includes sensory and motor function assessment.

Choice D reason:

Instructing the client to wiggle his toes is a direct assessment of motor function, which is a key component of neurovascular status. This action, along with checking for sensation and capillary refill, helps to determine if there is any impairment in nerve function or blood supply to the affected area.

Choice a) Raloxifene:
Raloxifene is part of a class of drugs known as selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs). It works by imitating the beneficial effects of the hormone estrogen on your bones, helping to prevent bone loss and improve density. Therefore, it is used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Choice b) Calcitonin:
Calcitonin is a hormone that a person’s thyroid gland produces. It helps regulate the amount of calcium in the body. For the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, scientists typically extract calcitonin from salmon. This is because salmon calcitonin has a much higher potency than human calcitonin. Osteoclasts are cells in the body that degrade bone. Calcitonin can inhibit osteoclasts. This helps slow the loss of bone density and increases bone mass, hindering the progression of osteoporosis.

Choice c) Allopurinol:
Allopurinol is primarily used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. It is not typically used in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.

Choice d) Levothyroxine:
Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It is not typically used in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis. However, if you are prescribed levothyroxine you should have regular blood tests, at least once a year, to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are not too high. Continuous high thyroid hormone levels may lead to developing or worsening of low bone density and osteoporosis.