A patient with musculoskeletal trauma asks the nurse about the difference between a strain and a sprain. Which of the following is a correct statement?

A) Walking is contraindicated and bed rest as much as possible is recommended:
. Walking is actually highly recommended for patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Gentle, regular physical activity, such as walking, helps improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood pooling in the lower extremities. Bed rest is not typically recommended unless the patient has severe symptoms like ulcers or active infection. In fact, staying active can promote better venous return and prevent worsening of CVI.

B) Dangle legs on the side of the bed several times per day:
. Dangling the legs can exacerbate venous stasis (blood pooling in the veins), which worsens symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Instead of dangling the legs, patients should focus on elevating the legs to reduce swelling and improve venous return. Dangle the legs only if advised by a healthcare provider for specific reasons, such as short periods of time to encourage blood flow after immobility.

C) Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods:
. One of the key recommendations for managing chronic venous insufficiency is to avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Remaining in one position for too long can cause blood to pool in the lower extremities, leading to increased swelling, pain, and discomfort. It’s important to encourage frequent position changes and movement, such as standing up or walking around if sitting, or sitting down to rest if standing for prolonged periods.

D) Elevate legs above heart level for 20-30 minutes, 4-5 times per day:
. Elevating the legs above heart level is a key intervention for patients with chronic venous insufficiency. This helps reduce swelling by promoting venous return and decreasing the pressure in the veins. Elevating the legs for 20-30 minutes, several times a day (4-5 times) can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications, such as ulcers and skin changes.

E) Use compression stockings to decrease swelling:
. Compression stockings are a cornerstone of managing chronic venous insufficiency. They help improve venous return, prevent blood from pooling in the lower legs, and reduce swelling. The stockings should be properly fitted and worn throughout the day (except when sleeping) to provide continuous support and minimize the risk of complications associated with CVI, such as venous ulcers.

A. Focal awareness seizure:
Focal awareness seizures (formerly known as simple partial seizures) involve abnormal electrical activity in a specific area of the brain. These seizures typically cause motor symptoms (such as jerking or twitching in one part of the body) or sensory disturbances (like tingling or visual changes), but the person remains fully aware during the episode. The client’s presentation of a temporary loss of awareness and blank stare is more consistent with an absence seizure than a focal awareness seizure, as focal seizures do not cause a loss of consciousness.

B. Absence seizure:
Absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure often seen in children. These seizures are characterized by a sudden, brief loss of awareness, typically lasting only a few seconds. During the episode, the child may exhibit a blank stare and seem unresponsive, often without any noticeable physical movements. These seizures are often mistaken for daydreaming or inattention, but they can be diagnosed with an EEG (electroencephalogram) showing characteristic patterns. This description matches the parents’ observations of occasional episodes of loss of awareness and a blank stare.

C. Transient ischemic attack (TIA):
A TIA, also known as a mini-stroke, involves temporary neurological symptoms due to a brief disruption in blood flow to the brain. However, TIAs usually last longer than the brief episodes of loss of awareness described in this case, and they are more likely to cause focal neurological not just a transient loss of awareness. Additionally, TIAs are much less common in children and are usually associated with other risk factors like cardiovascular disease or clotting disorders.

D. Tonic clonic seizure:
Tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal seizures) involve generalized shaking or convulsions, loss of consciousness, and can last from 1 to 3 minutes. These seizures are usually much more dramatic and prolonged compared to the brief, absence-like episodes described here. While they do involve a loss of awareness, the physical manifestations (muscle stiffening and jerking) and duration are distinctively different from the blank stare and brief loss of awareness typical of an absence seizure.