Which of the following is the priority intervention for preventing a fat embolism in a client experiencing an open femur fracture?

IV antibiotics

Encouraging the patient not to bend at the hip

Early immobilization of the fractured leg

Irrigating the open wound with sterile Normal Saline

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A) IV antibiotics: Administering IV antibiotics is important to prevent infection, particularly in open fractures, but it does not directly address the prevention of fat embolism. Fat embolism syndrome occurs when fat droplets are released into the bloodstream, typically from bone marrow after a fracture, and antibiotics have no role in preventing this specific complication. Antibiotics would be more relevant for preventing infection from the open wound, not for managing fat embolism risk.

B) Encouraging the patient not to bend at the hip: While avoiding unnecessary movement or bending at the hip may help prevent further injury, it does not specifically address the prevention of fat embolism. Fat embolism is primarily a concern due to the fracture itself and the subsequent release of fat from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. Restricting hip movement alone is not a preventive strategy for this condition.

C) Early immobilization of the fractured leg: The most effective intervention for preventing fat embolism is early immobilization of the fractured leg. Immobilization stabilizes the bone, preventing the release of fat droplets from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, which is the primary mechanism behind fat embolism. Early stabilization of the fracture helps minimize this risk, making this the priority action in the immediate care of a client with an open femur fracture.

D) Irrigating the open wound with sterile Normal Saline: While wound irrigation is essential for preventing infection and is part of the standard care for an open fracture, it does not directly prevent fat embolism. The risk of fat embolism arises from the fracture itself, and the priority in this case is stabilization of the bone to prevent the release of fat into circulation. Irrigating the wound helps with infection control, but it is not the most critical step for fat embolism prevention.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "Early ambulation can help keep your lungs expanded and prevent pneumonia":
This statement is correct. Early ambulation is beneficial for respiratory function as it helps to keep the lungs expanded, encouraging deeper breaths and better oxygenation. This can help prevent complications like pneumonia and atelectasis, which are common after surgery due to immobility and anesthesia.

B. "Early ambulation is one part of preventing blood clots from forming in your legs":
This statement is also correct. Early ambulation is an important measure in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), which are common postoperative complications. Movement and walking promote circulation, reducing the risk of blood clots forming in the legs.

C. "Early ambulation usually delays wound healing and increases the risk of wound infection":
This statement is incorrect. Early ambulation does not delay wound healing or increase the risk of infection. In fact, early movement can help improve circulation, which is crucial for wound healing and tissue repair. Gentle movement and ambulation typically have positive effects on wound healing by promoting blood flow to the surgical site. However, patients should avoid excessive strain or stress on the wound to prevent dehiscence or other complications.

D. "Early ambulation can help your bladder and bowels recover from the anesthesia":
This statement is correct. Early ambulation helps stimulate gastrointestinal and urinary systems, which may be sluggish after anesthesia. Walking can encourage the return of normal bowel and bladder function by promoting peristalsis and helping to prevent constipation or urinary retention, both of which can be common after surgery.

A. Encourage strict bed rest with tuning and repositioning every 2 hours. B. Have the client dangle" their legs several times per day and when pain occurs, C. Have the client elevate their legs above heart level when pain occurs D. Have the client use ice packs to relieve lower extremity pain.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) "Encourage strict bed rest with turning and repositioning every 2 hours":
. For clients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), strict bed rest is not recommended unless the client is in severe pain or experiencing complications like ulcers or gangrene. In PAD, exercise and mobility are essential for improving blood flow and reducing symptoms. Prolonged immobility could worsen circulation and lead to complications like muscle atrophy. Therefore, encouraging gentle movement and activity, like walking or repositioning, is typically more beneficial than prolonged bed rest.

B) "Have the client 'dangle' their legs several times per day and when pain occurs":
. For clients with PAD, dangling the legs can be helpful in alleviating pain and discomfort. When the client dangles their legs, gravity helps to increase blood flow to the lower extremities, which can provide temporary relief from symptoms like intermittent claudication (pain caused by insufficient blood flow). It is important to balance this with the advice to avoid elevating the legs, as elevating them above the heart level may decrease arterial perfusion, worsening symptoms.

C) "Have the client elevate their legs above heart level when pain occurs":
. Elevating the legs above the heart level in clients with PAD may worsen symptoms. In PAD, blood flow to the legs is already compromised, and elevating the legs above the heart can further reduce arterial blood flow to the lower extremities, increasing pain and discomfort. Instead, dangling the legs or lying flat with the legs at heart level is generally better for improving circulation.

D) "Have the client use ice packs to relieve lower extremity pain":
. Applying ice packs is not recommended for clients with PAD, as cold can cause vasoconstriction, further reducing blood flow to already compromised tissues. Cold therapy may increase pain and lead to tissue damage in individuals with reduced circulation. The nurse should instead focus on strategies that promote blood flow, such as encouraging gentle exercise, dangling the legs, or using warmth (in some cases) to improve circulation.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Which of the following is the priority intervention for preventing a fat embolism in a client experiencing an open femur fracture?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is discussing the benefits of early ambulation after surgery with a preoperative client. Which of the following statements would be incorrect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with HIV. Prior to discharge, the nurse would anticipate the client verbalizing which of the following statements?

The nurse is educating a female client about reducing the recurrence of urinary tract infections. Which of the following statements should pre nurse make?

The nurse is planning care for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus. When planning administration for rapid-acting insulin Lispro, the nurse knows to administer it during which timeframe based on the onset of action?

The nurse is assessing an elderly client admitted for hyponatremia. Which of the following findings requires immediate intervention?

You enter the room of your known diabetic patient and find them unresponsive. After ensuring they are breathing and have a patent airway, you check a blood glucose and find it to be 30 mg/dL. Which of the following medications should be the priority to administer?

During the acute phase of a stroke, the nurse assesses the patient's vital signs and neurologic status at least every cardiovascular sign that the nurse would see as the body attempts to increase cerebral blood flow?

A nurse is preparing to administer dextromethorphan 30 mg PO. The amount available is dextromethorphan oral liquid 7.5 mg/5mL. How many should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero)

The nurse is caring for a client experiencing acute hyperglycemia. The nurse would expect all of the following interventions except which?