The nurse is assessing the adolescent 4 hr following fasciotomy. Highlight the findings below that indicate the adolescent's condition is improving.

Admission Assessment

1400:

Adolescent brought to emergency department by parents following a fall while skateboarding. Adolescent reports pain in their right leg as 10 on a scale of 0 to 10 and is unable to bear weight.

Adolescent is awake, alert, and oriented x 3. Lungs clear, respirations even and regular. S1 and S2 with regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen soft and nontender with active bowel sounds in all four quadrants. Right lower extremity with open wound and displaced bone. Right lower extremity pulse +1, extremity cool to touch, edema present, capillary refill 4 seconds.

Nurses' Notes 2300:

Adolescent is drowsy and reports nausea. Respirations shallow. Lungs clear. Unproductive cough present. S1 and S2 with regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen soft and nontender with hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants. Right lower extremity fasciotomy, dressing clean, dry, and intact. Extremity pulse +3. Capillary refill 2 seconds. Right extremity is warm to the touch. Adolescent reports no numbness or tingling. Adolescent reports pain as 2 on a scale of 0 to 10.

Choice A reason:

Mild pain in the hip region can be caused by various musculoskeletal issues, such as muscle strains, bursitis, or even referred pain from other areas. It is not a characteristic symptom of scoliosis.

Choice B reason

Scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, which can cause uneven shoulders and pelvic heights. As the spine curves abnormally, it can lead to asymmetry in the shoulders and hips, which are noticeable during physical examination. This asymmetry is a key clinical sign that suggests the presence of scoliosis.

Choice C reason:

Limited range of motion (ROM) of the hips is more likely related to hip joint issues or musculoskeletal conditions affecting the hips, not specifically scoliosis.

Choice D reason:

Exaggerated curvature of the sacrum may indicate other spinal abnormalities or conditions affecting the lower back, but it is not typically associated with scoliosis, which primarily affects the curvature of the spine higher up in the thoracic or lumbar regions.

A. Contact the facility's ethics committee: This is incorrect because it is not an urgent action and it does not address the client's immediate needs. The ethics committee can be consulted later if there are ethical dilemmas or conflicts regarding the client's care.

B. Obtain consent from the client's employer: This is incorrect because it is not a valid source of consent. The employer has no legal or ethical authority to make decisions for the client, unless they are also a designated surrogate or proxy.

C. Limit care to comfort measures: This is incorrect because it does not meet the standard of care for an emergency situation. The nurse has a duty to provide life-saving interventions for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures, unless there is evidence of a valid advance directive that states otherwise.

D. Proceed with provision of medical care: This is correct because it follows the principle of implied consent, which assumes that a reasonable person would consent to emergency treatment if they were able to do so. The nurse should document the circumstances and continue to search for family members or other sources of consent.