The nurse is caring for a child who has had a unilateral long-leg cast applied for the correction of club foot.
What is the most important action for the nurse to perform?
Monitor the capillary refill of the toes.
Compare the temperature of both legs.
Observe for spontaneous movement.
Check the femoral pulses.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the capillary refill of the toes is crucial when a child has a long-leg cast applied. This is because it helps assess the adequacy of circulation to the foot, which can be compromised by the cast. If the capillary refill is delayed (more than 2 seconds), it could indicate poor blood flow to the area, which could lead to serious complications such as tissue necrosis.
Choice B rationale
Comparing the temperature of both legs can provide information about circulation and inflammation. However, it is not the most important action in this case. While a significant difference in temperature could indicate a problem, it is not as direct an indicator of circulatory status as capillary refill.
Choice C rationale
Observing for spontaneous movement can provide information about nerve function. If the child is not moving the toes, it could indicate nerve damage. However, lack of movement could also be due to discomfort from the cast and is not as direct an indicator of circulatory status as capillary refill.
Choice D rationale
Checking the femoral pulses can provide information about circulation to the leg. However, the femoral pulse is proximal to the cast and may not accurately reflect circulation to the foot. Therefore, it is not the most important action in this case.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While assessing for bladder distention is important in general urinary assessment, it is not directly related to the observation of the infant voiding a urinary stream from the ventral surface of the penis.
Choice B rationale
Listening for bowel sounds is a part of the general abdominal assessment. However, it does not provide information related to the observation of the infant voiding a urinary stream from the ventral surface of the penis.
Choice C rationale
Documenting the observation is the correct action. The nurse has observed that the infant voids a urinary stream from the ventral surface of the penis. This could indicate a condition such as hypospadias, where the urethral opening is on the underside of the penis. This is an important finding that should be documented and reported.
Choice D rationale
Checking the scrotum for testicular descent is part of the general assessment of the male genitalia. However, it does not provide information related to the observation of the infant voiding a urinary stream from the ventral surface of the penis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it is true that the ointment can help prevent certain types of infections, it is not specifically intended to prevent herpes infection. Herpes is a viral infection, and the ointment is an antibiotic, which is used to prevent bacterial infections.
Choice B rationale
The primary purpose of eye ointment is to protect newborns from serious eye infections caused by common bacteria. Mothers who have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can pass it to their newborns during childbirth, putting them at risk for an eye infection known as ophthalmia neonatorum (ON)3.
Choice C rationale
The ointment does not serve to clear the infant’s vision. It is applied to the eyes to prevent bacterial infections, not to improve or alter the infant’s vision.
Choice D rationale
The ointment is not used to dilate the pupil to visualize the red reflex. The red reflex is a reflection from the lining of the eye that is often observed when looking at the pupil, but this is not related to the application of the ointment.
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