The nurse working in an orthopedic clinic received a call from a client complaining of itching under the cast and asking for advice on how to relieve the discomfort. Which instruction will the nurse provide to this client?
1. Use a back scratcher to scratch under the cast.
2. Use a wooden spoon to scratch inside the cast.
3. Blow air from a hair dryer set to cool under the cast, or apply ice.
4. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching.
Correct Answer: 3
Strategies for dealing with itching include a hair dryer set on cool, applying ice, or blowing air from a vacuum set on reverse. Nothing should be inserted into the cast, even if it is not sharp, because it can scratch the skin or bunch the padding. An antihistamine will not resolve the itching if it is not related to an allergy.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is providing dietary instruction for a patient being discharged after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for uric acid stones. The nurse is providing nutritional counseling to the patient and instructs the patient to:
A) Avoid shellfish, anchovies, asparagus, mushrooms, and organ meats. B) Restrict intake of protein and sodium. C) Avoid spinach, strawberries, rhubarb, chocolate, tea, peanuts, and wheat bran. D) Increase fluid intake and consume a high-protein diet.
A nurse is assessing a client with right upper quadrant pain. The nurse asks questions directly related to the health of the client's
a. appendix. b. kidneys. c. liver. d. spleen.
Discuss emotional intelligence and its relationship to nursing
What will be an ideal response?
The nurse is preparing written handouts to be used as part of the standardized teaching plan for patient's who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes. Which of the following statements would be appropriate to include in the handouts:
a) Polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria are common symptoms of Diabetes mellitus b) The use of the right foods can help in keeping blood glucose at a near-normal level c) Some diabetes control blood glucose with oral medications or nutritional interventions d) Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and the associated symptoms