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While caring for a patient who has recently suffered from a fracture, the nurse sees that the patient's injured extremity will be placed in traction. Which of the following actions should the nurse refrain from performing?
- A. Keeping the pulley system tightened so that they may not move freely
- B. Check the ropes for fraying or breaks
- C. Keep the weights above the floor
- D. Ensure proper body alignment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tightening the pulley system to prevent free movement can disrupt traction's purpose of maintaining alignment and pull. Checking ropes, keeping weights off the floor, and ensuring alignment are all appropriate.
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The nurse is caring for a client who is in Buck traction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Ensure that weight is between 15 to 30 lb (6.8 to 13.6 kg)
- B. Turn the client using a foam wedge every two hours
- C. Ensure that a client's heels are supported with a pillow
- D. Elevate the foot of the bed to provide counter traction
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Elevating the foot of the bed provides counter traction to maintain alignment in Buck traction. Excessive weight risks injury, turning disrupts traction, and heel support is good but not the priority.
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient who has a halo vest immobilizer (halo brace) following a cervical spine fracture. Which of the following should the nurse include in the patient's plan of care?
- A. Pin care every shift
- B. Neck flexion and extension exercises
- C. Taping the wrench to the vest
- D. Report loosening of the pins
- E. Use straws when providing liquids
Correct Answer: A, D, E
Rationale: Pin care prevents infection, reporting loose pins ensures stability, and straws aid safe drinking. Neck exercises are contraindicated as they risk spinal injury, and taping the wrench is standard but not always required unless specified.
The nurse is caring for a client who is bedbound. Which intervention should the nurse implement to reduce this client's risk of developing contractures?
- A. Apply sequential compression devices to the lower extremities
- B. Perform passive range of motion exercises
- C. Obtain a specialty low-air loss mattress
- D. Turn the client every two hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Passive range of motion exercises maintain joint mobility and prevent contractures in bedbound clients. Compression devices prevent clots, mattresses reduce pressure ulcers, and turning aids skin but not primarily joints.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a fiberglass cast that has just been applied to their left arm due to a humerus fracture. Three hours later, the client complains of numbness in his fingers, and says his fingers 'have become pale.' What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
- A. Reassure the client that this is just a normal occurrence after having a cast.
- B. Ask the client to clench his fist frequently.
- C. Remove the cast immediately.
- D. Notify the primary healthcare provider (PHCP).
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Numbness and pallor in the fingers are signs of potential compartment syndrome or impaired circulation, which are serious complications. The most appropriate action is to notify the primary healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and intervention. Reassuring the client or asking them to clench their fist does not address the urgency, and removing the cast is not within the nurse's scope without a provider's order.
The nurse is assessing a client with Paget's disease. Which of the following would be an expected finding?
- A. Bone deformities
- B. Berry aneurysm
- C. Heberden's nodes
- D. Janeway lesions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Paget's disease causes excessive bone remodeling, leading to deformities like bowing or enlargement. Berry aneurysms, Heberden's nodes, and Janeway lesions are unrelated to this condition.