A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a prescription for intermittent heat therapy for a foot injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a contraindication for heat therapy?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Phlebitis
Osteoarthritis
Peripheral neuropathy
The Correct Answer is D
A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm. While an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a serious vascular condition, it is not directly affected by localized heat therapy to an extremity such as the foot. However, heat should still be used cautiously near major vascular abnormalities.
B. Phlebitis. Heat therapy is often used to reduce inflammation and promote circulation in conditions like phlebitis. Although care must be taken, it is not an absolute contraindication and may actually be prescribed in some mild cases under supervision.
C. Osteoarthritis. Heat therapy is commonly used for osteoarthritis to relax muscles, improve joint mobility, and alleviate stiffness and discomfort. It is considered a beneficial and appropriate treatment modality for this condition.
D. Peripheral neuropathy. Clients with peripheral neuropathy may have impaired sensation, making them unable to detect excessive heat. This puts them at high risk for burns or thermal injury, making heat therapy a contraindication for safety reasons.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A,B"},"B":{"answers":"C"},"C":{"answers":"B"},"D":{"answers":"A"},"E":{"answers":"A,B"},"F":{"answers":"A,B"}}
Explanation
- Fever: Fever is a nonspecific but common symptom found in all three conditions—epiglottitis, RSV, and streptococcal pharyngitis. However, it is more severe and abrupt in epiglottitis and low to moderate in RSV and strep throat. In this case, the toddler has had a persistent fever over 38°C, consistent with both RSV and strep.
- Exudate on pharynx: Pharyngeal exudate is a hallmark sign of acute streptococcal pharyngitis, resulting from the inflammatory response to GABHS. It is not typical in RSV or epiglottitis, where erythema and swelling may occur but without purulent exudate.
- Wheezing upon auscultation: Wheezing is a classic sign of RSV, a lower respiratory viral infection leading to bronchiolitis and airway obstruction. It is not a feature of epiglottitis or strep throat, which involve the upper airway and oropharynx, respectively.
- Drooling: Drooling is strongly associated with epiglottitis, due to inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis which makes it painful and difficult to swallow. It is not typical in RSV or strep pharyngitis unless there is severe oral involvement or dehydration.
- Hypoxia: Hypoxia may occur in both epiglottitis and RSV due to airway obstruction or inflammation compromising oxygenation. In epiglottitis, it results from upper airway narrowing; in RSV, from lower airway inflammation and mucus plugging. It is not common in uncomplicated streptococcal pharyngitis.
- Tachypnea: Tachypnea is a sign of respiratory distress and is often present in both epiglottitis and RSV, as the body attempts to compensate for impaired gas exchange. It is not a primary feature of strep pharyngitis unless accompanied by systemic infection or high fever.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Flush the tubing with 30 mL of water every 4 hr. Flushing the tube regularly helps maintain patency, prevent clogging, and ensure that the feeding is delivered effectively. This is a standard practice in managing enteral feeding systems.
B. Check for gastric residual every 12 hr. Gastric residuals should typically be checked every 4 to 6 hours, or per facility protocol, especially in clients at risk for aspiration. Waiting 12 hours is too long and may delay identifying feeding intolerance.
C. Place enough formula in the container to last 18 hr. Open systems should have fresh formula added every 4 hours to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. Leaving formula in the feeding bag for 18 hours exceeds safety guidelines and increases infection risk.
D. Maintain bed elevation at 20°. The head of the bed should be elevated to at least 30 to 45 degrees to reduce the risk of aspiration. A 20° elevation is insufficient and does not provide adequate protection during feeding.
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