The client has an open wound on the right ankle that the registered nurse has cleansed and dressed with gauze. The nurse now needs to apply a conforming ace bandage to keep the dressing in place.
What technique will the nurse use to apply the bandage on the ankle?
Circular turns only
Figure-of-eight turns only
Spiral turns only
Recurrent bandaging only
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Circular turns involve wrapping the bandage around the limb in a continuous circle, with each layer overlapping the previous one. While this technique is effective for securing dressings on cylindrical body parts like the arm or thigh, it's not ideal for joints like the ankle. Circular turns can constrict movement and potentially impair circulation, especially if applied too tightly. Additionally, they don't provide adequate compression for wounds that require it.
Choice B rationale:
Figure-of-eight turns create a cross-over pattern around the joint, resembling the number 8. This technique offers better flexibility and movement compared to circular turns, but it's still not the most appropriate for the ankle. The cross-over pattern can create uneven pressure points and potentially lead to discomfort or even skin irritation. Moreover, it might not provide sufficient compression for wound management.
Choice C rationale:
Spiral turns involve wrapping the bandage diagonally, ascending or descending the limb, with each layer overlapping the previous one by about half its width. This technique is considered the most suitable for bandaging joints like the ankle for several reasons:
Conforms to Joint Contours: Spiral turns naturally mold to the shape of the ankle, providing even pressure distribution and avoiding constriction points. This ensures comfort and maintains proper blood flow.
Allows for Movement: The diagonal pattern accommodates the natural flexion and extension of the ankle joint, allowing for greater mobility without compromising bandage integrity.
Provides Effective Compression: Spiral turns can be applied with varying degrees of compression to suit the needs of the wound and surrounding tissue. This can help control bleeding, reduce swelling, and promote healing.
Easy to Apply and Adjust: Spiral turns are relatively straightforward to apply and can be easily adjusted if needed, making them adaptable to different wound sizes and patient needs.
Choice D rationale:
Recurrent bandaging involves wrapping the bandage back and forth over the same area multiple times, creating a thicker layer. This technique is primarily used for stumps or areas requiring significant padding and absorption. It's not typically used for bandaging joints like the ankle, as it can create excessive bulk and potentially restrict movement.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Tertiary health promotion and illness prevention focus on managing existing health conditions and preventing complications. Administering a nebulized bronchodilator to a client who is short of breath directly addresses an existing respiratory problem, aiming to relieve symptoms and prevent further respiratory distress. This intervention falls under tertiary prevention because it targets a client already experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Key points:
Bronchodilators open constricted airways, easing airflow and breathing.
Nebulizers deliver medication directly to the lungs, providing rapid relief.
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD.
Prompt treatment of respiratory symptoms can prevent worsening of the condition and potential complications.
Choice B rationale:
Teaching a client about the risks of light cigarettes is an example of primary prevention. It aims to prevent lung disease before it develops by educating individuals about the harms of smoking.
Choice C rationale:
Advocating for more explicit warning labels on cigarette packages is a form of secondary prevention. It targets at-risk populations (smokers) to encourage behavior change and reduce smoking rates, ultimately lowering the incidence of lung disease.
Choice D rationale:
Assisting with lung function testing is a diagnostic procedure, not a tertiary prevention intervention. It helps to identify respiratory problems but doesn't directly manage or prevent them.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale for Choice A:
Making assessments every 15 minutes for four hours does not directly address the immediate concern of blood loss and potential hemodynamic instability. While close monitoring is essential, it's not the primary action in this situation.
Excessive blood loss can rapidly lead to hypovolemic shock, which requires prompt intervention to prevent serious complications.
Relying solely on frequent assessments without active interventions could delay crucial treatment and compromise patient safety.
Rationale for Choice B:
Documenting the data, removing the old dressing, and applying a new dressing might be necessary at some point, but it's not the most urgent priority in this case.
Removing the dressing could disrupt clot formation and potentially worsen bleeding.
Applying a new dressing without addressing the underlying bleeding might not effectively control the blood loss. Rationale for Choice C:
Applying a well-secured additional pressure dressing is the most appropriate immediate action to help control bleeding and prevent further blood loss.
It provides direct compression to the surgical site, promoting hemostasis and reducing blood flow. This action prioritizes stabilizing the patient's condition and preventing further complications.
Reporting the findings to the healthcare provider is crucial for timely assessment, diagnosis, and management of potential complications, such as hemorrhage or hematoma.
It ensures collaboration with the healthcare team and facilitates appropriate interventions based on the patient's specific needs.
Rationale for Choice D:
Reassuring the family that this is a common problem might provide some comfort, but it doesn't address the patient's immediate needs or the potential severity of the situation.
It's essential to prioritize patient safety and provide interventions to control bleeding, even if bleeding is a known potential complication.
Transparency and clear communication with the family are important, but they should not replace necessary medical interventions.
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