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A client is experiencing numbness and tingling distal to a new arm cast with no increase in pain. The nurse assesses that the client's fingers are pale, cool, and swollen. What action does the nurse take next?

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: A decreased level of rheumatoid factor is not seen in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that is produced by the immune system and can bind to other antibodies. A high level of rheumatoid factor indicates an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Choice B reason: A negative rheumatoid factor is not seen in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. A negative rheumatoid factor means that the antibody is not detected in the blood. A negative rheumatoid factor does not rule out rheumatoid arthritis, but it may suggest a different type of arthritis or another condition.

Choice C reason: A positive rheumatoid factor is seen in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. A positive rheumatoid factor means that the antibody is detected in the blood. A positive rheumatoid factor is more likely to occur in clients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially during a flareup of the disease.

Choice D reason: Factor does not change is not seen in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor can vary over time and may change depending on the activity of the disease. Rheumatoid factor may increase during a flareup and decrease during remission.