A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has a lower extremity fracture. Which of the following types of skin traction should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe?

Choice A reason:

Administering iron dextran subcutaneously into the vastus lateralis is not the recommended route for this medication. It is typically administered intramuscularly.

Choice B reason:

Correct. The preferred method for administering iron dextran is intramuscularly using the Z-track method. This technique helps prevent leakage of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue.

Choice C reason:

Administering iron dextran subcutaneously into the deltoid is not the preferred route for this medication. It is typically administered intramuscularly.

Choice D reason:

While a 20-gauge needle may be appropriate for intramuscular injections, the Z-track method is the preferred technique for administering iron dextran intramuscularly. The gauge of the needle may vary depending on the specific circumstances and patient characteristics.

A: Suctioning the client's airway every 2 hours is not indicated based on the provided information. The adolescent does not have a condition that compromises airway clearance, and routine suctioning can cause trauma or stimulate a vagal response, potentially leading to bradycardia.

B: Maintaining the client's head of the bed at 30° is appropriate for reducing intracranial pressure and facilitating venous drainage. The patient's symptoms of nuchal rigidity and severe headache suggest increased intracranial pressure, possibly due to meningitis, which is supported by the diagnostic results.

C: Keeping the client's room well lit is not advisable as the patient reports photophobia, which is a sensitivity to light. A well-lit room could exacerbate discomfort and pain.

D: Checking the client's temperature every 8 hours is important but not the priority intervention. The patient's condition requires more frequent monitoring due to the positive blood culture and sensitivity, indicating an active infection. More frequent temperature checks would be warranted.