Nokea
A nurse is admitting a patient to the unit who presented with a lower extremity fracture. What signs and symptoms would suggest to the nurse that the patient may have a peroneal nerve injury?
- A. Numbness and burning of the foot
- B. Pallor to the dorsal surface of the foot
- C. Visible cyanosis in the toes
- D. Inadequate capillary refill to the toes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Peroneal nerve injury may result in numbness, tingling, and burning in the feet. Cyanosis, pallor, and decreased capillary refill are signs of inadequate circulation.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient is scheduled for a total hip replacement and the surgeon has explained the risks of blood loss associated with orthopedic surgery. The risk of blood loss is the indication for which of the following actions?
- A. Use of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine
- B. Postoperative blood salvage
- C. Prophylactic blood transfusion
- D. Autologous blood donation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Many patients donate their own blood during the weeks preceding their surgery. Autologous blood donations are cost effective and eliminate many of the risks of transfusion therapy. Orthopedic surgery does not necessitate cardiopulmonary bypass and blood is not salvaged postoperatively. Transfusions are not given prophylactically.
A patient is admitted to the unit in traction for a fractured proximal femur and requires traction prior to surgery. What is the most appropriate type of traction to apply to a fractured proximal femur?
- A. Russell's traction
- B. Dunlop's traction
- C. Buck's extension traction
- D. Cervical head halter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Buck's extension is used for fractures of the proximal femur. Russell's traction is used for lower leg fractures. Dunlop's traction is applied to the upper extremity for supracondylar fractures of the elbow and humerus. Cervical head halters are used to stabilize the neck.
A patient with a right tibial fracture is being discharged home after having a cast applied. What instruction should the nurse provide in relationship to the patient's cast care?
- A. Cover the cast with a blanket until the cast dries.
- B. Keep your right leg elevated above heart level.
- C. Use a clean object to scratch itches inside the cast.
- D. A foul smell from the cast is normal after the first few days.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The leg should be elevated to promote venous return and prevent edema. The cast shouldn't be covered while drying because this will cause heat buildup and prevent air circulation. No foreign object should be inserted inside the cast because of the risk of cutting the skin and causing an infection. A foul smell from a cast is never normal and may indicate an infection.
The nurse educator on an orthopedic trauma unit is reviewing the safe and effective use of traction with some recent nursing graduates. What principle should the educator promote?
- A. Knots in the rope should not be resting against pulleys.
- B. Weights should rest against the bed rails.
- C. The end of the limb in traction should be braced by the footboard of the bed.
- D. Skeletal traction may be removed for brief periods to facilitate the patient's independence.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Knots in the rope should not rest against pulleys, because this interferes with traction. Weights are used to apply the vector of force necessary to achieve effective traction and should hang freely at all times. To avoid interrupting traction, the limb in traction should not rest against anything. Skeletal traction is never interrupted.
A patient has had a brace prescribed to facilitate recovery from a knee injury. What are the potential therapeutic benefits of a brace? Select all that apply.
- A. Preventing additional injury
- B. Immobilizing prior to surgery
- C. Providing support
- D. Controlling movement
- E. Promoting bone remodeling
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Braces (i.e., orthoses) are used to provide support, control movement, and prevent additional injury. They are not used to immobilize body parts or to facilitate bone remodeling.