The nurse is teaching a client who has an unstable thoracic vertebral fracture and is being treated with immobilization before surgery. Which statement does the nurse include in the client's teaching?

Question

a. "You will need to apply an immobilizing brace snugly around your waist when out of bed."
b. "You will remain strapped to the transport back board until the surgical room is ready."
c. "Keep your spine in alignment by not sit-ting up, arching your back, or twisting in bed."
d. "An incentive spirometer will prevent you from having atelectasis and pneumonia after surgery."

Answer 1

C
The client with a thoracic vertebral fracture is at risk for spinal cord injury, especially with flex-ion, extension, or rotation of the trunk. The client will be moved to a more comfortable bed to wait for surgery and will remain on bedrest. Although teaching about how to use an incentive spirometer is important for surgical clients, the incentive spirometer alone does not prevent ate-lectasis and pneumonia; it only assists the client to breathe deeply.