A client has an allergic reaction to seafood with generalized edema and informs the nurse that he is unable to get his wedding ring off and it is too tight. The client was unable to remove it with soap and water

Question

What action by the nurse can facilitate removal of the ring without damaging it? A) Administer a diuretic and wait for the swelling to go down.
B) There is not another option other than to use a ring cutter to remove the ring.
C) Use twine to wrap the finger and, when the tissue is compressed, pull the free end of the twine and remove the ring.
D) Use a tongue blade to remove the ring.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
If applying soap or oil to the finger proves unsuccessful, the nurse may wrap the finger with twine. Once the tissue is compressed, the ring can be removed by pulling on the free end of the twine. This technique is preferable to damaging the ring with a metal cutter. If nothing else facilitates ring removal, however, cutting the ring is a better option than allowing damage from ischemia to develop. The nurse cannot administer a diuretic without a physician's order, and allowing the swelling to go down may cause tissue ischemia from the constricted ring. There are options other than cutting the ring, but if they fail, there is no other choice. A tongue blade will not remove a ring that is too tight.