A patient has been casted to stabilize a fracture of the right radius and ulna. The nurse assesses a capillary refill of 5 seconds and cold fingers of the right hand. Which initial intervention should the nurse deploy?
a. Notify the charge nurse of a probable compartment syndrome
b. Apply a warm compress to the fingers to relieve swelling
c. Elevate the right hand to heart level to maintain arterial pressure
d. Cut the cast off to release constriction
ANS: C
The nurse should first elevate the right hand to heart level and notify the charge nurse. Permanent damage can occur in as little time as 6 hours.
You might also like to view...
What is the correct conversion of 6:00 PM (standard) to military time?
What will be an ideal response?
A patient comes to the physician's office complaining of constipation after starting his antihyperlipidemic medication. The nurse tells the patient to take the laxative the physician has prescribed and to eat a diet high in bulk
Which of the following is a high-bulk food? 1. Potatoes 2. Corn 3. Bran 4. Bread
The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that in the fetal circulation, the lowest level of oxygen concentration is found in the umbilical arteries
A) True B) False
A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. "Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition causes gastrointestinal side effects." b. "Cyclooxygenase-2 is considered the ‘bad COX.'" c. "Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 promotes myocardial infarction and stroke." d. "Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 results in suppression of inflammation."