The nurse is caring for a child who has had a unilateral long-leg cast applied for the correction of club foot.
What is the most important action for the nurse to perform?
Monitor the capillary refill of the toes.
Compare the temperature of both legs.
Observe for spontaneous movement.
Check the femoral pulses.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the capillary refill of the toes is crucial when a child has a long-leg cast applied. This is because it helps assess the adequacy of circulation to the foot, which can be compromised by the cast. If the capillary refill is delayed (more than 2 seconds), it could indicate poor blood flow to the area, which could lead to serious complications such as tissue necrosis.
Choice B rationale
Comparing the temperature of both legs can provide information about circulation and inflammation. However, it is not the most important action in this case. While a significant difference in temperature could indicate a problem, it is not as direct an indicator of circulatory status as capillary refill.
Choice C rationale
Observing for spontaneous movement can provide information about nerve function. If the child is not moving the toes, it could indicate nerve damage. However, lack of movement could also be due to discomfort from the cast and is not as direct an indicator of circulatory status as capillary refill.
Choice D rationale
Checking the femoral pulses can provide information about circulation to the leg. However, the femoral pulse is proximal to the cast and may not accurately reflect circulation to the foot. Therefore, it is not the most important action in this case.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Keeping the skin incision moist by periodically wetting the dressing is not the recommended care for a myelomeningocele surgical repair. The dressing needs to be kept dry to prevent infection and promote healing.
Choice B rationale
Removing the tape rapidly from the edges of the dressing during a change is not advised. This could potentially damage the skin and disrupt the healing process.
Choice C rationale
An intact dressing protects the incision from fecal contamination, which is crucial in preventing infection. This statement indicates an understanding of the procedure.
Choice D rationale
While it’s important to keep the dressing dry to ensure easy removal of sutures, it’s not the primary concern. The main goal is to protect the incision from contamination.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Obtaining blood cultures is not the first action to take in this situation. Blood cultures would be used to identify a bloodstream infection, which is not indicated by the client’s current symptoms.
Choice B rationale
Covering the lesion with a dressing is not the appropriate action. Herpes lesions are highly contagious, and covering them does not eliminate the risk of transmission during vaginal delivery.
Choice C rationale
Administering penicillin is not the appropriate action. Penicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections like herpes.
Choice D rationale
Preparing for a cesarean section is the correct action. A cesarean section is recommended for women with active genital herpes lesions or prodromal symptoms at the time of labor to prevent transmission of the virus to the newborn during delivery.
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