A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a new plaster cast on her right arm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Maintain night splints to the affected joint: Night splints help maintain joint position and function during sleep, preventing contractures and deformities. This is a common intervention in managing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to ensure proper joint alignment and minimize pain and stiffness.

B. Encourage the child to take daytime naps: Daytime naps can lead to prolonged periods of immobility, which may increase stiffness and pain in joints. Maintaining regular activity and exercise is usually recommended to preserve joint function.

C. Administer opioids on a schedule: Opioids are not typically first-line treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis due to potential side effects and risk of dependence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more commonly used.

D. Apply cool compresses for 20 min every hour: Cool compresses may provide temporary relief for acute joint pain but are not recommended on a regular schedule due to risk of skin damage and reduced joint flexibility. Heat application is more commonly used for chronic pain relief in arthritis.

A. "Bend forward from the waist with your head and arms downward." This position, known as the Adam’s forward bend test, is commonly used to screen for scoliosis. It allows the nurse to observe for any asymmetry in the rib cage or spine, which could indicate scoliosis.

B. "Lie prone on the examination table." Lying prone (face down) does not allow for the assessment of spinal curvature or rib asymmetry. This position is not useful for scoliosis screening.

C. "Touch your chin to your chest, and then look up at the ceiling." These movements assess neck flexibility and range of motion, which are not relevant for screening scoliosis.

D. "Turn to the side, and remain in a relaxed position." Turning to the side and relaxing does not provide the necessary view of the spine to assess for scoliosis. This position does not allow for a clear view of any asymmetry in the spine or ribs.