The mother of a newborn baby is concerned that the baby will develop illnesses from being around people from outside the family. What is the nurse’s best response?

Choice A reason: This is not the best action because encouraging range of motion can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Range of motion is the movement of the joints and muscles through their normal extent. Range of motion can help to prevent stiffness, contractures, and muscle atrophy, but it can also increase the swelling and pressure in the affected area, which can impair the circulation and sensation.

Choice B reason: This is not the best action because applying heat to the affected hand can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the tissues. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler one. Heat can help to relax the muscles, reduce the pain, and increase the blood flow, but it can also increase the inflammation and edema in the affected area, which can compromise the oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues.

Choice C reason: This is the best action because removing the cast can decrease the pressure and restore the circulation and sensation to the affected area. A cast is a rigid device that immobilizes and protects a fractured or injured body part. A cast can help to align the bones, prevent displacement, and promote healing, but it can also cause complications, such as compartment syndrome, infection, or nerve damage. Compartment syndrome is a condition where the pressure inside the muscles increases to dangerous levels, causing severe pain, reduced blood flow, and tissue death. The nurse should remove the cast immediately and notify the physician if the client shows signs of compartment syndrome, such as numbness, tingling, pallor, coolness, or swelling.

Choice D reason: This is not the best action because raising the arm above the level of the heart can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Raising the arm above the level of the heart can help to reduce the swelling and pain in the affected area, but it can also reduce the blood flow and oxygenation to the area, which can lead to ischemia, necrosis, or gangrene. The nurse should elevate the arm at or below the level of the heart and monitor the pulse, color, temperature, and sensation of the fingers.

Choice A reason: Fistula is a complication of wound healing that is an abnormal passage that connects two body cavities or a cavity and the skin. Fistula can occur as a result of infection, inflammation, trauma, surgery, or congenital defect. Fistula can cause pain, bleeding, discharge, or leakage of fluids or gases from the affected organs or tissues. Fistula can also increase the risk of infection, obstruction, or perforation of the involved organs or tissues.

Choice B reason: Hemorrhage is not a complication of wound healing that is an abnormal passage that connects two body cavities or a cavity and the skin, but rather a complication of wound healing that is an excessive or uncontrolled bleeding from the wound site. Hemorrhage can occur as a result of trauma, surgery, infection, or coagulation disorder. Hemorrhage can cause pain, swelling, bruising, or shock at the wound site. Hemorrhage can also lead to blood loss, anemia, or hypovolemia.

Choice C reason: Infection is not a complication of wound healing that is an abnormal passage that connects two body cavities or a cavity and the skin, but rather a complication of wound healing that is an invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the wound site. Infection can occur as a result of contamination, poor hygiene, or impaired immunity. Infection can cause pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or pus at the wound site. Infection can also trigger inflammation, fever, or systemic illness.

Choice D reason: Evisceration is not a complication of wound healing that is an abnormal passage that connects two body cavities or a cavity and the skin, but rather a complication of wound healing that is a protrusion of internal organs or tissues through the wound site. Evisceration can occur as a result of dehiscence, which is a separation or splitting open of the wound edges. Evisceration can cause pain, bleeding, or shock at the wound site. Evisceration can also expose the internal organs or tissues to injury, infection, or necrosis.