A nurse is caring for a toddler who had a cast applied 2 hr ago due to multiple fractures of the right hand. Which of the following findings should the nurse report immediately to the charge nurse?
The parent reports the child will not keep the arm elevated on the pillow.
The fingers on the right hand have a capillary refill of 4 seconds.
The fingertips of the right hand are swollen and bruised.
The child is not attempting to move her right arm or fingers.
The Correct Answer is B
A. The parent reports the child will not keep the arm elevated on the pillow: Not a priority. While elevation is important, it is not immediately concerning.
B. The fingers on the right hand have a capillary refill of 4 seconds: Correct. A capillary refill time of more than 2 seconds indicates poor perfusion, which can be a sign of compartment syndrome, a serious complication.
C. The fingertips of the right hand are swollen and bruised: Concerning, but swelling and bruising can be normal post-injury. Immediate concern is perfusion.
D. The child is not attempting to move her right arm or fingers: Concerning, but can be due to pain or fear. Poor perfusion (B) is a more immediate threat.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"B"},"F":{"answers":"B"}}
Explanation
Place the infant in a knee-chest position: Indicated: ☑️
The knee-chest position is commonly used during a "tet spell," which involves episodes of cyanosis due to decreased oxygen levels. This position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps redirect blood flow to the lungs, improving oxygenation.
Administer morphine via IV bolus: Indicated: ☑️
Morphine is used to calm the infant, reduce respiratory effort, and decrease pulmonary vascular resistance. It can help in reducing the severity of the tet spell by promoting better oxygenation.
Provide 100% oxygen by face mask: Indicated: ☑️
Administering 100% oxygen can help increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and reduce the effects of hypoxia. Oxygen is a vasodilator and can reduce pulmonary resistance, making it easier for the infant to oxygenate blood.
Request a prescription for a diuretic: Contraindicated: ☑️
Diuretics are generally not indicated in the acute management of tet spells. While they are used in conditions with fluid overload, their use in this context is not beneficial and could potentially worsen the infant's condition by causing dehydration and further reducing blood volume.
Perform nasopharyngeal suctioning for a maximum of 5 seconds: Contraindicated: ☑️
Nasopharyngeal suctioning can be stressful for the infant and may worsen cyanosis or provoke a tet spell due to increased agitation and respiratory effort. It's typically not recommended unless there's a clear indication for airway clearance.
Prepare to assist with the insertion of a chest tube: Contraindicated: ☑️
Chest tube insertion is not a treatment for tet spells or ToF. It is usually indicated for pneumothorax or significant pleural effusions, which are not related to the acute cyanotic episodes seen in ToF. Preparing for this procedure would be inappropriate in this scenario.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Cyanosis with crying: Cyanosis is less common in isolated PDA and more indicative of other congenital heart defects. PDA usually results in increased pulmonary blood flow and may not directly cause cyanosis, especially in less severe cases.
B. Weak pulses: PDA typically causes increased pulmonary blood flow and can result in bounding pulses rather than weak ones. Weak pulses are more indicative of reduced cardiac output, which is not characteristic of PDA.
C. Chronic hypoxemia: Chronic hypoxemia is less associated with PDA and more common in cyanotic heart defects where oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mix. PDA primarily affects the volume of blood flow to the lungs and may not lead to hypoxemia unless complicated by other conditions.
D. Machine-like murmur: A characteristic feature of PDA is a continuous, machine-like murmur caused by turbulent blood flow between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This murmur is a hallmark sign of PDA and is typically heard during auscultation.
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