A nurse is caring for a client with a cast on his left leg. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse perform to prevent the client from being at risk of peripheral neurovascular dysfunction?

Question

A) Elevate the affected leg higher than the client's heart.
B) Avoid applying ice packs on the affected area.
C) Tell the client to avoid wiggling his toes.
D) Encourage the client to eat a diet rich in proteins and calcium.

Answer 1

A
Feedback:
Elevating the casted leg higher than the client's heart facilitates venous return of blood from distal areas to the heart. Applying ice packs on the cast over the area of injury and refilling the ice bag every 20 minutes helps to reduce swelling and pain. The nurse should ask the client to wiggle the toes of the affected leg every 15 minutes when awake to avoid stiffening. Exercising the toes also contracts the skeletal muscles, thereby compressing the capillaries and veins, which propels venous blood toward the heart. Encouraging the client to eat a healthy diet is important, but not a priority at this stage.