An adult female client, who is an office worker, comes to the occupational health dinic with an edematous right leg twice the size of the left leg. The client reports that she is otherwise healthy, smokes 2 packs of cigarettes a day, and takes birth control pills on a regular basis. Which initial nursing action should the occupational health nurse take?
Ask the client to rate her pain on a scale from 0 to 10.
Teach the client to keep the leg elevated
Treat with ice then apply an elastic bandage wrap.
Check the leg for warmth and erythema.
The Correct Answer is D
A. While pain assessment is important, it's not the priority in this situation. Pain can be present in various conditions, and it doesn't necessarily indicate DVT.
B. Elevating the leg can help reduce swelling but is not the initial action. The nurse needs to rule out a serious condition like DVT first.
C. Applying ice and an elastic bandage might be appropriate for some types of swelling but is not the correct initial action for a sudden, unilateral leg swelling.
D. The client presents with sudden, unilateral leg swelling, which is a red flag for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition that can lead to pulmonary embolism. Therefore, the nurse's priority is to assess for signs of inflammation, which are warmth and erythema.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Potential Condition
Poor healing of stage 2 pressure injury
The stage 2 pressure injury on the right trochanter with minimal drainage and pain suggests poor healing, which is often due to a combination of factors including immobility, malnutrition, and other risk factors. The Braden Scale score reflects several high-risk areas that contribute to the poor healing of the pressure injury.
Actions to Take
1. Apply pressure reduction mattress to bed
A pressure reduction mattress helps alleviate pressure on vulnerable areas and can significantly reduce the risk of further injury and promote healing. It is a crucial intervention for managing pressure injuries and preventing new ones.
2. Request service of wound care nurse
Consulting a wound care nurse can provide specialized assessment and treatment for the pressure injury. This professional can recommend advanced wound care techniques and products to support optimal healing and address any complications.
Parameters to Monitor
1. Progression of wound
Monitoring the progression of the wound involves assessing changes in size, depth, and appearance of the pressure injury. This helps evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and the rate of healing.
2. Adherence to repositioning schedule
Regular repositioning is crucial to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas and prevent further injury. Ensuring that the client is repositioned according to the schedule helps prevent pressure ulcers from worsening and supports healing.
Incorrect conditions
Immobility: Although immobility is a factor in pressure injuries, the direct intervention would be to improve mobility, not necessarily apply to the current situation.
Dehydration: While dehydration can affect skin health and healing, the primary condition here is the poor healing of the pressure injury rather than dehydration itself.
Malnutrition: Malnutrition can impair wound healing, but the immediate action would be more related to wound care and pressure relief. Nutrition might be addressed separately through dietary interventions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Hematocrit measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells. A hematocrit of 33% is lower than the normal range (42% to 52% for males and 37% to 47% for females). While this indicates anemia and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, it is not directly related to the risk for infection.
B. White blood cells (WBCs) are crucial for the immune system and fighting infections. A WBC count of 1,500/mm³ is significantly below the normal range (5,000 to 10,000/mm³). This low WBC count, also known as leukopenia, indicates a decreased ability to fight infections, making the client highly susceptible to infections.
C. Hemoglobin measures the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. A hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL is below the normal range (14 to 18 g/dL), indicating anemia. While anemia affects overall health and can contribute to fatigue and weakness, it does not directly indicate the risk for infection.
D. The red blood cell (RBC) count measures the number of red blood cells in the blood. A count of 3.5 x 10^12/L is below the normal range (4.2 to 5.4 x 10^12/L), indicating a reduction in red blood cells and anemia. Like low hemoglobin, this value indicates anemia but does not directly reflect the risk for infection.
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