A client with prostate cancer is taking estrogen daily to control tumor growth. He reports that his left calf is swollen and painful. Which is the nurse's best action?
a. Instruct the client to keep the leg elevated.
b. Measure and compare calf circumferences.
c. Apply ice to the calf after massaging it.
d. Document this expected response.
B
An adverse reaction to hormonal manipulation therapy is the development of thrombus forma-tion. The nurse should measure both calf circumferences and compare them; the side with a thromboembolism will be larger. Elevation may be helpful, but first the nurse needs to assess the situation. Massaging a calf that is swollen and painful is never correct, because this action might break a clot to form an embolus, which could then travel to the lungs.
You might also like to view...
A patient recovering from a partial spinal cord lesion is experiencing muscle spasticity. Relative to this complication, what is the nursing priority?
A) Monitor neurologic status every 4 hours B) Ensure compliance with exercise program C) Medicate often for pain and discomfort D) Emphasize nutritional balance
The experienced nurse is assisting the novice nurse in caring for a client with a newly acquired sexually transmitted infection
Which of the following infections does the experienced nurse stress to report to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)? Select all that apply. A) Venereal warts B) Chlamydia C) Hepatitis B D) Syphilis E) HIV F) Gonorrhea
Issues affecting academic integrity include:
a. plagiarism and cheating. c. editing and forgery. b. cheating and editing. d. forgery and consulting.
What is the rationale for conducting discharge planning?
A) to ensure the best possible care in the acute care setting B) to provide a means of documenting nursing care C) to enlist family members in providing home care D) to ensure patient and family needs are met consistently