A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a Plaster of Paris walking cast on his left lower leg. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
There is no need to cover the cast when showering.
Apply ice to your foot after walking.
A musty odor is normal as the cast ages.
Report any numbness or pain in your toes.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
It is important to keep a Plaster of Paris cast dry because moisture can weaken the cast and irritate the skin underneath. Therefore, the cast should be covered while showering to prevent it from getting wet.
Choice B reason:
Applying ice to the foot after walking can help reduce swelling and provide pain relief. It is a common recommendation for managing discomfort associated with a walking cast. The ice should be applied over the cast at the level of the injury for 15-30 minutes, repeating every few hours for the first few days.
Choice C reason:
While a musty odor can develop over time due to sweat and lack of air circulation, it is not necessarily normal and could indicate a problem such as an infection. If there is a persistent unpleasant odor, it should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Choice D reason:
Numbness or pain in the toes can be a sign of compromised circulation or nerve compression and should be reported immediately. It is crucial to monitor for any changes in sensation or increased pain, as these could indicate a serious issue that requires medical attention.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Determining the client's understanding of the procedure is important as it ensures informed consent and can help alleviate anxiety. However, while this is a necessary part of preoperative care, it may not be the immediate priority¹.
Choice B reason:
Establishing the need for psychological support is a valuable aspect of holistic care. It addresses the client's emotional well-being and can improve overall satisfaction with the surgical experience. Nonetheless, it is not the primary focus of the preoperative assessment².
Choice C reason:
Identifying possible surgical risks is the priority in a preoperative assessment. This includes evaluating the client's medical history, current health status, and any factors that could increase the risk of complications during or after surgery. A thorough risk assessment is crucial for planning safe surgical care and for making decisions about proceeding with the surgery¹³.
Choice D reason:
Recognizing resources needed postoperatively is part of discharge planning and is essential for ensuring continuity of care. While it is an important consideration, it is not the immediate priority during the preoperative assessment².
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The statement "HIPAA is a federal law, not a state law" is correct. HIPAA is indeed a federal law that provides national standards to protect the privacy of personal health information.
Choice B reason:
The statement "HIPAA established regulations for individually identifiable health information in verbal, electronic, or written form" is also correct. HIPAA does regulate how individually identifiable health information should be protected and handled across various forms of communication.
Choice C reason:
The statement "Information about a client can be disclosed to family members at any time" indicates a need for further teaching. Under HIPAA, protected health information can only be disclosed to family members under certain conditions, such as when the patient has given permission or when it is directly relevant to the family member's involvement in the patient's care.
Choice D reason:
The statement "A client's address would be an example of personally identifiable information" is correct. Under HIPAA, a client's address is considered personally identifiable information, which is protected and cannot be disclosed without proper authorization.
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