The nurse is caring for a child with a fracture who is placed in skeletal traction. The nurse monitors for the most serious complication associated with this type of traction by checking for which?
An increase in the blood pressure
An elevated temperature
A decrease in urine output
A lack of appetite
The Correct Answer is B
B. The most serious complication associated with skeletal traction is osteomyelitis, an infection that involves the bone. This condition can occur when organisms gain access to the bone either systemically or through the openings created by the metal pins or wires used in the traction.
A. Increased blood pressure can occur for various reasons but it is not the most serious complication associated with skeletal traction.
C. A decrease in urine output could indicate systemic infection which is a late feature of osteomyelitis and therefore, not the earliest to monitor.
D. Changes in appetite can occur in response to pain or stress but they are not typically the most serious complication associated with skeletal traction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Wheezing, which is a high-pitched whistling sound heard during expiration, is a common symptom of asthma. It occurs due to narrowed airways and airflow obstruction, often in response to triggers such as allergens, respiratory infections, or exercise.
B. Low-grade fever in the afternoon is not typically associated with asthma. Fever is more commonly seen in response to infections, such as respiratory infections, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms but is not a direct manifestation of asthma itself.
C. Without the complete statement, it is difficult to assess its relevance to asthma symptoms. However, an abrupt onset of symptoms, such as sudden shortness of breath or chest tightness, may occur during an asthma attack or exacerbation.
D. Sharp pleuritic pain is not a typical finding in asthma. Pleuritic pain, which is sharp and worsened by breathing, is more commonly associated with conditions affecting the pleura, such as pneumonia or pleurisy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This position, often referred to as the "knee-to-chest" position, is recommended during a cyanotic spell in infants with tetralogy of Fallot because it can help increase venous return to the heart and improve oxygenation. It's important for caregivers to understand this positioning as part of the management for hypercyanotic spells in children with this condition.
A. Placing the baby upright in an infant seat may help improve blood flow and oxygenation, but it's not the recommended position for managing cyanosis in a baby with tetralogy of Fallot.
B. Placing the baby with the head lower than the rest of the body could potentially worsen cyanosis by increasing right-to-left shunting of blood and decreasing pulmonary blood flow.
C. Placing the baby in a supine position with the head elevated worsens pulmonary blood flow by increasing systemic vascular resistance. This position can help worsen cyanosis by promoting better oxygenation.
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