Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Managements of Patients with Dermatologic Problems Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Managements of Patients with Dermatologic Problems related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a patient whose chemical injury has necessitated a skin graft to his left hand. The nurse enters the room and observes that the patient is performing active range of motion (ROM) exercises with the affected hand. How should the nurse best respond?

  • A. Liaise with the physical therapist to ensure that the patient is performing exercises safely.
  • B. Validate the patients efforts to increase blood perfusion to the graft site.
  • C. Remind the patient that ROM exercises should be passive, not active.
  • D. Remind the patient of the need to immobilize the graft to facilitate healing.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Immobilization of the graft site is critical to promote healing and prevent damage. Active or passive ROM exercises can disrupt the graft, and perfusion is not enhanced by early movement.