A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a fracture of the right tibia and a fiberglass cast. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Report any worsening or unrelieved pain.
Avoid moving the affected leg.
Use a cotton swab to relieve itching under the cast.
Use a blow dryer on a moderate heat setting to dry the cast after showering.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Reporting any worsening or unrelieved pain is important because increasing or unrelieved pain could indicate complications such as inadequate immobilization, pressure sores, or compartment syndrome. Prompt reporting allows for timely intervention and prevention of further complications
B. Movement of the affected leg could disrupt the alignment of the bones and impede the healing process. Immobilization is essential for bone healing in a fiberglass cast. However, reporting features of compartment syndrome is priority.
C. Patients should be advised not to insert anything under the cast and instead use other methods such as blowing cool air under the cast or gently tapping on the outside of the cast to relieve itching.
D. Using a blow dryer on a moderate heat setting can help speed up the drying process of the cast after it gets wet. However, it's important to ensure that the heat is not too high to avoid causing burns or softening the cast material excessively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Alcohol consumption, especially beer and spirits, is associated with an increased risk of gout attacks as it can elevate uric acid levels in the body. Limiting alcohol intake can help prevent gout attacks.
A. While adequate hydration is important for overall health, limiting fluid intake to 1 liter per day may not be appropriate, especially considering that hydration can help prevent gout attacks.
C. While aspirin is commonly used for pain relief, it is not typically recommended for gout management.
D. High-purine foods such as red meat, organ meats, and certain seafood can exacerbate gout symptoms by increasing uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, closely following a high-purine diet would likely worsen gout symptoms rather than improve them.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. A comminuted fracture involves the bone being broken into multiple pieces or fragments. This description matches the scenario of the fractured tibia being splintered into several pieces.
A. An impacted fracture occurs when the bone fragments are driven into each other, causing shortening of the bone. This description does not match the scenario provided.
C. An oblique fracture occurs when the fracture line runs diagonally across the bone shaft. This description does not match the scenario provided.
D. A transverse fracture occurs when the fracture line is perpendicular to the long axis of the bone. This description does not match the scenario provided.
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