Nokea
A patient has skeletal traction applied to his left lower leg. Why is pin site care critical for this patient?
- A. To prevent infection at the pin insertion sites.
- B. To promote faster bone healing.
- C. To reduce pain during traction.
- D. To maintain traction alignment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pin site care is critical to prevent infection, as pins penetrate skin and bone, creating an infection risk. Other options are not directly related to pin site care.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient is admitted with an elevated temperature and complaining of pain under his arm cast. A bad odor is noted coming from the elbow area of the cast. The patient tells you that his arm has been itching a great deal under the cast. What concern do you have?
- A. The patient may have damaged the skin under the cast, causing infection.
- B. The bone is not healing well under the cast, causing the pain.
- C. The skin under the cast is breaking down because of pressure from the cast.
- D. The patient may be developing gangrene (tissue death) under the cast, causing the odor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fever, pain, odor, and itching suggest a possible infection under the cast, likely from skin damage. Gangrene is less likely without systemic symptoms, and bone healing issues don't cause odor.
A type of external fixator composed of metal rings on the outside of the limb with rods and wires attached that penetrate through the skin into the bone is a(n)
- A. External immobilizer.
- B. Buck's traction setup.
- C. Skin traction setup.
- D. Ilizarov frame.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An Ilizarov frame is an external fixator with metal rings, rods, and wires penetrating the bone to stabilize fractures. Other options describe different devices.
You are working in a home health setting. Which of the following assessments would cause you to consider asking your supervisor to arrange for a physical therapy referral for your patient?
- A. The patient is ambulating in the home with a walker.
- B. The patient had surgery recently and is holding on to furniture to ambulate.
- C. The patient uses a wheelchair in the home, which has been remodeled to accommodate it.
- D. The patient is able to transfer with the assistance of one person and has a 24-hour caregiver in the home.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holding onto furniture to ambulate post-surgery indicates unsafe mobility, warranting a physical therapy referral to improve strength and safety. Other options suggest stable mobility or adequate support.
You are working with a patient whose left leg is weak. You are instructing her on walker use. Which instruction is most appropriate?
- A. Move your right leg forward with the walker, and then move your left leg.
- B. Move the walker forward, and then move your left leg forward, followed by your right leg.
- C. Move the walker forward, and then move your right leg forward, followed by your left leg.
- D. Move the walker and your left leg forward at the same time, and then move your right leg forward.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct instruction is to move the walker forward, then the unaffected (right) leg, followed by the weak (left) leg for stability.
Which would you consider to be significant findings when caring for a patient with skeletal traction?
- A. Redness and swelling at the pin insertion sites
- B. A small amount of serosanguineous drainage at the pin insertion sites
- C. Purulent drainage at the pin insertion sites
- D. Mild discomfort when the patient moves the limb in traction
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Redness, swelling, and purulent drainage at pin sites indicate potential infection, which is significant. Mild discomfort and serosanguineous drainage are expected.