Nokea
The nurse is providing health-promotion teaching to a patient whose job involves many hours of word processing. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the patient teaching plan?
- A. Do stretching and warm-up exercises before starting work.
- B. Use a compression bandage to prevent wrist pain.
- C. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for wrist pain.
- D. Obtain a keyboard pad to support the wrist while word processing.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Repetitive strain injuries caused by prolonged times working at a keyboard can be prevented by the use of a pad that will keep the wrists in a straight position. Stretching exercises during the day may be helpful, but these would not be needed before starting. Use of a compression bandage is not needed, although a splint may be used for carpal tunnel syndrome. NSAIDs are appropriate to use to decrease swelling but are not a preventive measure.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a cast in place after fracturing the radius and the patient asks when the cast can be removed. Which of the following information related to the length of time that the cast will need to remain in place should the nurse tell the patient?
- A. Several months
- B. At least 3 weeks
- C. Until swelling of the wrist has resolved
- D. Until x-rays show complete bony union
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bone healing starts immediately after the injury, but since ossification does not begin until 3 weeks postinjury, the cast will need to be worn for at least 3 weeks. Complete union may take up to a year. Resolution of swelling does not indicate bone healing.
Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who has had a total knee arthroplasty?
- A. Avoid extension of the knee beyond 120 degrees.
- B. Use a compression bandage to keep the knee flexed.
- C. Start progressive knee exercises to obtain 90-degree flexion.
- D. Teach about the need to avoid weight bearing for 4 weeks.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After knee arthroplasty, active or passive flexion exercises are used to obtain a 90-degree flexion of the knee. The goal for extension of the knee will be 180 degrees. A compression bandage is used to hold the knee in an extended position after surgery. Full weight bearing is expected before discharge.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident who has massive right lower leg swelling. Which of the following actions will the nurse take first?
- A. Elevate the leg on pillows.
- B. Apply a compression bandage.
- C. Check leg pulses and sensation.
- D. Place ice packs on the lower leg.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The initial action by the nurse will be to assess the circulation to the leg and to observe for any evidence of injury such as fractures or dislocations. After the initial assessment, the other actions may be appropriate based on what is observed during the assessment.
The nurse is counseling a patient about ways to prevent fractures. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
- A. Tack down throw rugs in the home.
- B. Most falls happen outside the home.
- C. Buy shoes that provide good support and are comfortable.
- D. Activities of daily living provide range of motion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Comfortable shoes with good support will help decrease the risk for falls. Throw rugs should be eliminated, not just tacked down. Most falls occur inside the home, and activities of daily living do not necessarily provide sufficient range of motion to prevent fractures.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient who has a short-arm plaster cast applied. Which of the following patient statements indicate a good understanding of the discharge teaching?
- A. I can get the cast wet as long as I dry it right away with a hair dryer.
- B. I should avoid moving my fingers and elbow until the cast is removed.
- C. I will apply an ice pack to the cast over the fracture site for the next 24 hours.
- D. I can use a cotton-tipped applicator to rub lotion on any dry areas under the cast.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ice application for the first 24 hours after a fracture will help reduce swelling and can be placed over the cast. Plaster casts should not get wet. The patient should be encouraged to move the joints above and below the cast. Patients should not insert objects inside the cast.