A nurse is caring for a client who has thrombocytopenia and develops epistaxis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect finding, because ecchymosis of the thigh, or bruising, is not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of bleeding or hematoma formation due to the fracture or the traction. The nurse should monitor the size and color of the ecchymosis and report any changes to the provider.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect finding, because serous drainage at the pin site, or clear fluid, is not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of normal healing or infection. The nurse should assess the amount, color, and odor of the drainage and report any signs of infection, such as purulent drainage, redness, swelling, or pain, to the provider.

Choice C reason: This is the correct finding, because chest petechiae, or small red spots on the chest, are a sign of fat emboli, which are a rare but serious complication of long bone fractures. Fat emboli occur when fat globules from the bone marrow enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, causing respiratory distress, hypoxia, and pulmonary edema. The nurse should report any signs of fat emboli, such as chest petechiae, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, fever, or confusion, to the provider.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect finding, because muscle spasms in the left leg, or involuntary contractions of the muscles, are not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of pain, inflammation, or nerve injury due to the fracture or the traction. The nurse should administer analgesics and muscle relaxants as prescribed, and provide comfort measures, such as massage, ice, or elevation, to the client.

Choice A reason: Irrigating the catheter with sterile water is an incorrect action, because the catheter should be irrigated with sterile normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) to prevent hemolysis of the red blood cells.

Choice B reason: Clamping the drainage catheter during ambulation is an incorrect action, because the catheter should be kept patent and unclamped at all times to prevent obstruction and infection.

Choice C reason: Reporting viscous drainage with clots to the provider is a correct action, because it indicates that the irrigation is not effective and the client may need manual irrigation or surgical intervention.

Choice D reason: Removing the catheter if the client feels a strong urge to urinate is an incorrect action, because the catheter should be left in place until the provider orders its removal. The client may feel a sensation of bladder fullness or spasms due to the irrigation fluid, which can be relieved by medication or adjustment of the flow rate.