The nurse is caring for a client with a newly applied plaster cast. How should the nurse touch and move the wet cast?
- A. Use the palms of the hands
- B. Use the fingertips only
- C. Use a towel sling
- D. Touch the cast only on the petals at the edges
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Using the palms prevents indentations in a wet cast, which could cause skin irritation. Fingertips create indentations, a towel sling is inappropriate, and petaling occurs after drying.
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The client has been in a body cast for the past 2 days to treat numerous broken vertebrae from a fall. The client is reporting dyspnea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and abdominal distention. Which action demonstrates the nurse's best clinical judgment?
- A. Immediately notify the health care provider.
- B. Initiate oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula.
- C. Place ice packs around the outside of the cast.
- D. Administer ondansetron prescribed q6h prn.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A. The nurse should immediately notify the HCP. A window in the abdominal portion of the cast or bivalving is needed to relieve the pressure.
The nurse is administering 0730 medications to clients on a medical orthopedic unit. Which medication should be administered first?
- A. The daily cardiac glycoside to a client diagnosed with back pain and heart failure.
- B. The routine insulin to a client diagnosed with neck strain and type 1 diabetes.
- C. The oral proton pump inhibitor to a client scheduled for a laminectomy this a.m.
- D. The fourth dose of IV antibiotic for a client diagnosed with a surgical infection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin for type 1 diabetes prevents hyperglycemia, a life-threatening risk, and takes priority. Cardiac glycoside, PPI, and antibiotics are important but less urgent.
Which nursing assessment finding is the best indication that the client has an infection at the pin site?
- A. Serous drainage at the pin site
- B. Bloody drainage at the pin site
- C. Mucoid drainage at the pin site
- D. Purulent drainage at the pin site
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Purulent (pus-like) drainage is the clearest sign of infection at the pin site, indicating bacterial presence. Serous, bloody, or mucoid drainage is less specific to infection.
The Jewish client with peripheral vascular disease is scheduled for a left AKA. Which question is most important for the operating room nurse to ask the client?
- A. Have you made any special arrangements for your amputated limb?'
- B. What types of food would you like to eat while you're in the hospital?'
- C. Would you like a rabbi to visit you while you are in the recovery room?'
- D. Will you start checking your other foot at least once a day for cuts?'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Jewish cultural practices may require special handling of amputated limbs (e.g., burial); this question respects beliefs. Food, rabbi visits, and foot checks are secondary.
The nurse is preparing the plan of care for the client with a closed fracture of the right arm. Which problem is most appropriate for the nurse to identify?
- A. Risk for ineffective coping related to the inability to perform ADLs.
- B. Risk for compartment syndrome-related injured muscle tissue.
- C. Risk for infection related to exposed bone and tissue.
- D. Risk for complications related to compromised neurovascular status.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a critical risk in closed fractures due to swelling, threatening limb viability. Coping, infection (more for open fractures), and general complications are secondary.
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