A 4-year-old child with a long leg cast complains of "fire" in his cast. The nurse should
a. Notify the physician on his next rounds.
b. Note the complaint in the nurse's notes.
c. Notify the physician immediately.
d. Report the complaint to the next nurse on duty.
C
Feedback
A The child's symptom requires immediate attention. Notifying the physician on
the next rounds is inappropriate.
B Charting the complaint in the nurse's notes is an inappropriate action. Careful
notation of symptoms is important, but the priority action is to contact the
physician.
C A burning sensation under the cast is an indication of tissue ischemia. It may be
an early indication of serious neurovascular compromise, such as compartmental
syndrome, that requires immediate attention.
D Communication across shifts is important to the continuing assessment of the
child; however, this symptom requires immediate evaluation, and the physician
should be contacted.
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