A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has herpes simplex virus type 2. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Providing pin care when the client is 4 hours postoperative is not appropriate. The client has just undergone skeletal traction placement, and pin care is usually initiated after 24 hours to allow for initial wound healing.

Choice B rationale:

Removing the weights from the traction while repositioning the client in bed is unsafe and not recommended. The weights should remain in place to provide continuous traction and alignment for the fractured hip.

Choice C rationale:

Assessing the client's circulation every 4 hours is essential to monitor for any signs of impaired circulation, such as swelling, pallor, or decreased pulses. Early detection of circulatory compromise is critical to prevent complications like compartment syndrome.

Choice D rationale:

Requesting the client to perform ankle exercises on the affected extremity is not appropriate after skeletal traction placement. Ankle exercises could disrupt traction and hinder the healing process of the fractured hip.

Choice A rationale:

Preparing an endotracheal tube for intubation is not the first action the nurse should take in this situation. Intubation is an invasive procedure and should be reserved for cases where other, less invasive methods of airway management have failed.

Choice B rationale:

Inserting a plastic oral airway may help maintain the airway in some situations, but it is not the first action to take when the client's airway is obstructing and their oxygen saturation is low.

Choice C rationale:

Providing oxygen using a manual resuscitation bag (bag-valve-mask device) is the correct first action. This allows the nurse to manually assist the client's breathing and deliver oxygen more effectively than just providing supplemental oxygen through a nasal cannula or face mask.

Choice D rationale:

Performing a head tilt with a chin-lift is a basic airway maneuver, but it may not be sufficient in this situation, especially if the airway is completely obstructed. Providing oxygen with a manual resuscitation bag takes precedence.