A patient who has undergone a lower limb amputation is preparing to be discharged home. What outcome is necessary prior to discharge?
- A. Patient can demonstrate safe use of assistive devices.
- B. Patient has a healed, nontender, nonadherent scar.
- C. Patient can perform activities of daily living independently.
- D. Patient is free of pain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A patient should be able to use assistive devices appropriately and safely prior to discharge. Scar formation will not be complete at the time of hospital discharge. It is anticipated that the patient will require some assistance with ADLs postdischarge. Pain should be well managed, but may or may not be wholly absent.
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A nurses assessment of a patients knee reveals edema, tenderness, muscle spasms, and ecchymosis. The patient states that 2 days ago he ran 10 miles and now it really hurts to stand up. The nurse should plan care based on the belief that the patient has experienced what?
- A. A first-degree strain
- B. A second-degree strain
- C. A first-degree sprain
- D. A second-degree sprain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A second-degree strain involves tearing of muscle fibers and is manifested by notable loss of load-bearing strength with accompanying edema, tenderness, muscle spasm, and ecchymosis. A first-degree strain reflects tearing of a few muscle fibers and is accompanied by minor edema, tenderness, and mild muscle spasm, without noticeable loss of function. However, this patient states a loss of function. A sprain normally involves twisting, which is inconsistent with the patients overuse injury.
A rehabilitation nurse is working with a patient who has had a below-the-knee amputation. The nurse knows the importance of the patients active participation in self-care. In order to determine the patients ability to be an active participant in self-care, the nurse should prioritize assessment of what variable?
- A. The patients attitude
- B. The patients learning style
- C. The patients nutritional status
- D. The patients presurgical level of function
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amputation of an extremity affects the patients ability to provide adequate self-care. The patient is encouraged to be an active participant in self-care. The patient and the nurse need to maintain positive attitudes and to minimize fatigue and frustration during the learning process. Balanced nutrition and the patients learning style are important variables in the rehabilitation process but the patients attitude is among the most salient variables. The patients presurgical level of function may or may not affect participation in rehabilitation.
A nurse is planning the care of an older adult patient who will soon be discharged home after treatment for a fractured hip. In an effort to prevent future fractures, the nurse should encourage which of the following? Select all that apply.
- A. Regular bone density testing
- B. A high-calcium diet
- C. Use of falls prevention precautions
- D. Use of corticosteroids as ordered
- E. Weight-bearing exercise
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: Health promotion measures after an older adults hip fracture include weight-bearing exercise, promotion of a healthy diet, falls prevention, and bone density testing. Corticosteroids have the potential to reduce bone density and increase the risk for fractures.
An emergency department nurse is assessing a 17-year-old soccer player who presented with a knee injury. The patients description of the injury indicates that his knee was struck medially while his foot was on the ground. The nurse knows that the patient likely has experienced what injury?
- A. Lateral collateral ligament injury
- B. Medial collateral ligament injury
- C. Anterior cruciate ligament injury
- D. Posterior cruciate ligament injury
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When the knee is struck medially, damage may occur to the lateral collateral ligament. If the knee is struck laterally, damage may occur to the medial collateral ligament. The ACL and PCL are not typically injured in this way.
A young patient is being treated for a femoral fracture suffered in a snowboarding accident. The nurses most recent assessment reveals that the patient is uncharacteristically confused. What diagnostic test should be performed on this patient?
- A. Electrolyte assessment
- B. Electrocardiogram
- C. Arterial blood gases
- D. Abdominal ultrasound
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subtle personality changes, restlessness, irritability, or confusion in a patient who has sustained a fracture are indications for immediate arterial blood gas studies due to the possibility of fat embolism syndrome. This assessment finding does not indicate an immediate need for electrolyte levels, an ECG, or abdominal ultrasound.
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