The nurse is preparing communication for a provider. The client is experiencing acute pain in the anterior forearm. Distal to the injury, he is experiencing a "pins and needles" sensation. The pulse is weak and the skin is pale. The nurse suspects an emergent condition. What is it?

Choice A reason: Stage 1 is a wound that involves only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. It appears as a nonblanchable redness, warmth, or hardness on intact skin. It does not have any breakage or ulceration of the skin.

Choice B reason: Stage 2 is a wound that involves the epidermis and the dermis, the second layer of the skin. It appears as a shallow, open, reddened ulcer with a partialthickness loss of skin. It may have some serous exudate, but no slough or eschar. It may also present as a blister or abrasion.

Choice C reason: Stage 3 is a wound that involves the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue, the third layer of the skin. It appears as a deep, open, reddened ulcer with a fullthickness loss of skin. It may have some slough or eschar, but no exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. It may also have tunneling or undermining of the wound edges.

Choice D reason: Stage 4 is a wound that involves the epidermis, the dermis, the subcutaneous tissue, and the underlying structures, such as bone, tendon, or muscle. It appears as a deep, open, reddened ulcer with a fullthickness loss of skin and tissue. It has exposed bone, tendon, or muscle, which may be visible or palpable. It may also have slough, eschar, necrosis, infection, or osteomyelitis.

Choice A reason: Deeply palpating the area for rebound tenderness is not the nurse's next action, because it is inappropriate and dangerous. Deeply palpating the area for rebound tenderness is a test that involves applying and releasing pressure on the abdomen, which can elicit pain or discomfort in the presence of peritonitis or appendicitis. Deeply palpating the area for rebound tenderness is not relevant or useful for the client's complaint of pain and burning in the right calf area, which may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg. Deeply palpating the area for rebound tenderness can also worsen the pain, damage the tissues, or dislodge the clot, which can cause pulmonary embolism, which is a lifethreatening condition.

Choice B reason: Percussing over the area for a change in tone is not the nurse's next action, because it is inappropriate and useless. Percussing over the area for a change in tone is a test that involves tapping on the chest or abdomen, which can produce different sounds depending on the density of the underlying organs or tissues. Percussing over the area for a change in tone is not relevant or useful for the client's complaint of pain and burning in the right calf area, which may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg. Percussing over the area for a change in tone can also worsen the pain, damage the tissues, or dislodge the clot, which can cause pulmonary embolism, which is a lifethreatening condition.

Choice C reason: Comparing the circumference to the left calf is the nurse's next action, because it is appropriate and useful. Comparing the circumference to the left calf is a test that involves measuring the size of the leg, which can reveal any swelling or edema in the affected area. Comparing the circumference to the left calf is relevant and useful for the client's complaint of pain and burning in the right calf area, which may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg. Comparing the circumference to the left calf can also help diagnose, monitor, or treat the condition, as a difference of more than 2 cm between the legs can suggest a DVT.

Choice D reason: Medicating the client for pain and reassessing in 60 minutes is not the nurse's next action, because it is inappropriate and delayed. Medicating the client for pain and reassessing in 60 minutes is an intervention that involves giving the client a painkiller and checking the response after an hour. Medicating the client for pain and reassessing in 60 minutes is not relevant or useful for the client's complaint of pain and burning in the right calf area, which may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg. Medicating the client for pain and reassessing in 60 minutes can also mask the symptoms, delay the diagnosis, or miss the opportunity to prevent the complications, such as pulmonary embolism, which is a lifethreatening condition.