What nursing intervention should be implemented for a patient with a fractured extremity before applying a cast?
Elevate the extremity to reduce swelling.
Apply ice packs to the fracture site.
Administer analgesics to manage pain.
Obtain baseline neurovascular assessment.
The Correct Answer is D
Before applying a cast, the nurse should obtain a baseline neurovascular assessment of the extremity to establish normal function. This assessment will serve as a reference for comparison throughout the cast's application and during the healing process.
a. Elevating the extremity to reduce swelling is a valuable intervention but is not directly related to applying a cast. It can be performed later as part of post-cast application care.
b. Applying ice packs to the fracture site can help reduce swelling and pain but is not a step in preparing for the cast application.
c. Administering analgesics to manage pain is important, but obtaining a baseline neurovascular assessment is the priority before applying a cast.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Assessing the neurovascular status of the affected limb is the priority nursing consideration in a patient with a fracture. Checking for pulses, capillary refill, sensation, and motor function helps identify neurovascular compromise, which requires immediate intervention to prevent potential tissue damage and complications.
a. Monitoring the patient's pain level is essential, but it is not the priority over assessing neurovascular status. Pain management can be addressed after ensuring the limb's vascular and neurological integrity.
c. Evaluating the range of motion in nearby joints is important for overall assessment, but it is not as critical as assessing neurovascular status in a patient with a fracture.
d. Instructing the patient about cast care is necessary, but it is not the priority consideration when the patient's neurovascular status is at risk.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A fracture is a break in the continuity of a bone, resulting from excessive force or stress applied to the bone. It is different from a dislocation, which involves the displacement of bone from its normal position at a joint.
a. A dislocation of a joint: A dislocation involves the displacement of bone from its normal position at a joint and is not the same as a fracture.
c. A stretching or tearing of ligaments: A stretching or tearing of ligaments is known as a sprain, not a fracture.
d. A separation of bone fragments at a joint: This description is more in line with a dislocation, where the bone separates from its normal position at a joint.
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