The nurse is planning preoperative care for a client who has a fractured wrist. Which of the following should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

Choice A reason:
Difficulty with abduction of the arm at the shoulder is a common finding in clients with a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and facilitate its movement. When these muscles or tendons are injured, movements such as lifting the arm away from the body (abduction) can become painful and difficult.

Choice B reason:
Alteration in the contour of the joint is not typically associated with a rotator cuff injury. This finding is more indicative of conditions that cause changes in the bone structure, such as arthritis or dislocation.

Choice C reason:
A positive Tinel's sign is used to diagnose nerve compression or nerve damage, particularly in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. It is not a test used to assess rotator cuff injuries.

Choice D reason:
A negative drop arm test would suggest that the client does not have a rotator cuff injury. The drop arm test is performed by having the client lift the arm to 90 degrees and then slowly lower it. If the client can control the motion and lower the arm smoothly, the test is negative. A positive drop arm test, where the client cannot control the descent of the arm, would indicate a rotator cuff injury.

Choice A reason:
Purulent drainage at the intravenous site access site would indicate a more severe infection, possibly grade 3 or 4 on the Infusion Nurses Society's phlebitis scale. This would be associated with more advanced symptoms such as pus formation, which is not characteristic of grade 1 phlebitis.

Choice B reason:
Redness at the intravenous access site with pain is indicative of grade 1 phlebitis according to the Infusion Nurses Society's phlebitis scale. This grade is characterized by erythema and possible pain at the site of the IV insertion, without more severe symptoms such as swelling or streak formation.

Choice C reason:
Red streaks on the affected extremity suggest a progression of the inflammatory response, potentially indicating a higher grade of phlebitis, such as grade 2 or 3. This symptom suggests that the inflammation is spreading along the vein, which is more serious than grade 1 phlebitis.

Choice D reason:
A palpable venous cord in the affected extremity would also suggest a more severe form of phlebitis, likely grade 3. This occurs when a thrombus forms along with inflammation of the vein, leading to a palpable cord-like structure.