A nurse is planning to reinforce teaching with a preschooler who is about to undergo an incision and

drainage for cellulitis on the left arm. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

The correct answers are A, B, and D.

Choice A reason:

Removing an indwelling urinary catheter when it is no longer indicated is a standard postoperative care practice. It helps to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are common complications associated with prolonged catheter use. The normal practice is to remove the catheter as soon as the patient can use the bathroom independently or when medically advised.

Choice B reason:

Elevating the affected limb at chest level can help reduce swelling and improve venous return. This is particularly important after surgery involving the lower extremities to prevent edema and promote circulation. Proper elevation assists in managing pain and preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Choice C reason:

Assisting with ambulation from bed to chair immediately after surgery may not be appropriate, especially if the adolescent has had surgery on the lower extremity. It is essential to wait for the physician's evaluation and specific instructions regarding weight-bearing and movement post-surgery.

Choice D reason:

Performing neurovascular assessments every hour is crucial after surgery on an extremity. This involves checking for sensation, motor function, color, temperature, capillary refill, and pulse strength. The normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds; a refill time of 4 seconds, as noted in the assessment, is abnormal and warrants close monitoring. Frequent assessments help in early detection of complications such as compartment syndrome.

Choice E reason:

Applying warm packs to the right extremity for the first 24 hours post-surgery is not recommended. Warm packs can increase circulation to the area, potentially increasing swelling and bleeding. Instead, cold packs are usually applied to reduce swelling and provide pain relief. The use of warm packs can be considered after the initial 24-hour period, depending on the surgeon's instructions and the wound's response.

Choice A rationale:

Measuring the amount of time the child can hear the sound is not the correct action when performing Weber's test. Weber's test is used to assess hearing acuity and lateralization. In this test, a vibrating tuning fork is placed in the middle of the patient's forehead, and the patient is asked if the sound is heard equally in both ears or if it is louder in one ear. This helps identify whether there is a conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. The duration of hearing the sound is not relevant to this test.

Choice B rationale:

Obtaining a tympanogram reading is not necessary before initiating Weber's test. Tympanometry assesses the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure and can help diagnose conditions like middle ear effusion or eustachian tube dysfunction. However, Weber's test focuses on lateralization of sound and does not require tympanogram readings.

Choice C rationale:

Placing a vibrating tuning fork on the top of the child's head is the correct action for performing Weber's test. By doing so, the nurse can assess whether the sound is perceived equally in both ears or if it is lateralized to one ear. If the sound is lateralized, it can provide valuable information about the type of hearing loss the child may have, whether it's conductive or sensorineural.

Choice D rationale:

Holding a vibrating tuning fork 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) from the child's ears is not the correct technique for Weber's test. Placing the tuning fork directly on the patient's forehead is essential for accurate assessment. Holding it close to the ears can lead to misinterpretation of the test results.