A nurse is caring for an adolescent following the application of a plaster cast for a fractured right tibia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Discourage the client from ambulating.
Use a hair dryer on a hot setting to dry the cast.
Keep the client’s leg in a dependent position.
Perform a neurovascular check of the lower extremities.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Discouraging the client from ambulating is not the best action. While it’s important to limit weight-bearing activities initially, movement is encouraged to promote circulation and prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis.
Choice B rationale
Using a hair dryer on a hot setting to dry the cast is not recommended. Heat can cause the cast to dry out and crack, and it can also burn the skin.
Choice C rationale
Keeping the client’s leg in a dependent position is not advisable. This can lead to increased swelling and pain, and potentially delay healing.
Choice D rationale
Performing a neurovascular check of the lower extremities is the correct action. This involves assessing for pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and paralysis. These checks are crucial for monitoring for complications such as compartment syndrome and ensuring the cast is not too tight.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it’s true that bone marrow can be lost through a fracture, this is not specific to fractures of the epiphyseal plate.
Choice B rationale
The healing time for fractures in children and adults can vary depending on many factors, but it’s not accurate to say that fractures in children take longer to heal than fractures in adults.
Choice C rationale
Normal bone growth can indeed be affected by a fracture of the epiphyseal plate. The epiphyseal plate, or growth plate, is the area of growing tissue near the ends of the long bones in children and adolescents. When a fracture occurs at the epiphyseal plate, it can disrupt the normal growth of the bone and lead to deformities.
Choice D rationale
While calcium is important for bone health, increasing a child’s calcium intake to 3,000 milligrams daily is not typically recommended as part of the treatment or management of a fracture.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Spinal defects and sac-like protrusions are not typically associated with muscular dystrophy. They are more commonly seen in conditions like spina bifida.
Choice B rationale
Muscular weakness in the lower extremities is a common symptom of muscular dystrophy. This is due to the progressive degeneration of muscle fibers, which leads to weakness and loss of muscle mass.
Choice C rationale
Kyphosis of the lower spine can be a complication of muscular dystrophy. As the muscles supporting the spine weaken, the spine can curve abnormally, leading to kyphosis.
Choice D rationale
Purposeless, involuntary, abnormal movements are not typically associated with muscular dystrophy. These symptoms are more commonly seen in neurological conditions like Huntington’s disease or certain types of cerebral palsy.
Choice E rationale
An unsteady waddling gait is often seen in individuals with muscular dystrophy. This is due to the progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass in the lower extremities.
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