A nurse is discharging a client who came to the outpatient clinic with an ankle sprain. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the discharge instructions?
“I’ll apply ice to my ankle for 20 minutes every hour.”
“I’ll rewrap my ankle starting from the knee down.”
“I’ll walk on my ankle for 10 minutes every hour.”
“I’ll put a heating pad on my ankle at bedtime tonight.”
The Correct Answer is A
A. "I’ll apply ice to my ankle for 20 minutes every hour."
This is the correct choice. Applying ice for a specified duration (20 minutes) every hour is a standard recommendation for managing swelling and pain associated with an ankle sprain. It helps reduce inflammation and provides relief.
B. "I’ll rewrap my ankle starting from the knee down."
This statement indicates a misunderstanding. When rewrapping an ankle, it should be done from the bottom (proximal) to the top (distal) to provide proper compression. Starting from the knee down is not the correct technique.
C. "I’ll walk on my ankle for 10 minutes every hour."
This statement may indicate a misunderstanding or potential for harm. Immediate weight-bearing or walking on an injured ankle, especially after a sprain, is generally not recommended. Rest is often a key component of initial management.
D. "I’ll put a heating pad on my ankle at bedtime tonight."
This statement may indicate a misunderstanding. Heat is not typically recommended in the initial stages of treating an acute injury like an ankle sprain, as it may increase inflammation. Ice (cold therapy) is usually the preferred modality early on to reduce swelling and pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Skeletal traction has less risk for infection than skin traction."
This statement is not accurate. Both skeletal and skin traction carry some risk of infection, but the risk factors and considerations are different for each. Skeletal traction involves pins or wires directly inserted into the bone, and while the risk of infection is present, it is not necessarily lower than that of skin traction.
B. "Clients in skin traction have more mobility than those in skeletal traction."
This statement is not accurate. Skeletal traction, involving the use of weights and pins or wires inserted into the bone, tends to provide more stable immobilization. Skin traction, which relies on external devices applied to the skin's surface, may allow for some limited mobility but is generally not as effective as skeletal traction.
C. "Skeletal traction is better than skin traction for reducing a fracture."
This is the correct statement. Skeletal traction is often more effective in providing a stable and controlled environment for reducing and immobilizing fractures.
D. "Clients in skin traction have more discomfort than those in skeletal traction."
This statement is not necessarily accurate. Discomfort can vary depending on the individual, the type of fracture, and other factors. Both skeletal and skin traction may cause some discomfort, and it's important to assess and manage the client's pain appropriately in either case.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. “Turn each of your hands and forearms so your palm is facing down.”
This describes pronation, not supination. In pronation, the palm faces down, and the radius crosses over the ulna.
B. “Take each of your hands and touch your shoulders.”
This describes flexion at the elbow joint, not supination. Flexion involves decreasing the angle between body parts.
C. “Turn each of your hands and forearms so your palm is facing up.”
This is the correct choice. Supination involves turning the hands and forearms so that the palms face up, and the radius and ulna are parallel.
D. “Move each of your arms to rest at your sides.”
This describes adduction, bringing the arms back to the sides of the body, not supination.

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