Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new short-leg cast on his lower leg to treat an ankle fracture. Which of the following findings requires immediate notification of the provider?

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

Inability to flex the toes of the casted foot

Rationale :

🔹 Neurovascular compromise is a medical emergency that can occur after casting due to compartment syndrome or arterial obstruction.

🔹 Inability to flex toes suggests motor impairment caused by nerve or muscle ischemia.

🔹 This finding indicates loss of function, a late sign of impaired perfusion that requires immediate intervention to prevent permanent damage.

🔹 Prompt notification of the provider allows for rapid cast removal or fasciotomy to restore circulation.

🔹 Pain, itching, or edema are common post-cast symptoms, but loss of movement signals a critical complication.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Stop the patient immediately and reinforce hip precautions, advising against hip flexion greater than 90 degrees.

Rationale :

💠 Hip flexion >90° after total hip arthroplasty increases risk of hip dislocation.

💠 Dislocation can compromise circulation and joint stability, requiring surgical intervention.

💠 Reinforcing precautions prevents acute injury and prolongs prosthesis life.

💠 Early education and correction reduce the likelihood of repeat violations.

💠 Immediate action preserves postoperative joint alignment and functional recovery.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Perform a neurovascular assessment.

Rationale :

♦ After a cast is applied, priority is assessing circulation, sensation, and movement.

♦ Neurovascular compromise is a time-sensitive complication that can cause permanent limb damage.

♦ Assessments should include capillary refill, pulses, skin temperature, and motor ability.

♦ Early detection allows for immediate intervention, preventing compartment syndrome.

♦ Pain or anxiety can be addressed later, but preserving limb function is critical.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Increased respiratory rate from 18 to 44/min.

Rationale :

⬖ A sudden rise in respiratory rate suggests fat embolism syndrome after long bone fractures.

⬖ Fat emboli can lodge in pulmonary circulation, impairing oxygenation.

⬖ Other symptoms include dyspnea, confusion, and petechiae.

⬖ Immediate recognition allows for oxygen therapy and supportive measures.

⬖ Minor temperature, BP, or HR changes are not as urgent as acute respiratory distress.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Reports of hearing a "pop" at the time of pain onset

Rationale :

❖ A “pop” sensation during movement after THA is a hallmark of joint dislocation.

❖ This finding, along with pain and leg shortening with external rotation, confirms dislocation.

❖ Dislocation disrupts prosthesis stability and may impair blood supply.

❖ Immediate immobilization prevents further joint and soft tissue damage.

❖ Orthopedic intervention is required to reduce the joint and restore alignment.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

This procedure will replace my joint to improve function."

Rationale :

⭐ An arthroplasty replaces the diseased joint with an artificial prosthesis.

⭐ It aims to relieve pain and restore mobility in severe joint disease.

⭐ Unlike fusion, it allows for continued joint movement.

⭐ Patient understanding promotes cooperation with rehab protocols.

⭐ Clear knowledge reduces anxiety and enhances postoperative compliance.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

"Skeletal traction has less risk for infection than skin traction."

Rationale :

⚪ Skeletal traction uses pins/wires into bone, providing stronger pull for fracture reduction.

⚪ It is used for long-term alignment and complex fractures.

⚪ Skin traction applies pull via skin, suitable only for short-term stabilization.

⚪ Understanding the difference aids in correct nursing care and complication prevention.

⚪ Skeletal traction requires infection monitoring at pin sites.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Vitamin C

Rationale :

🌿 Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis, critical for wound healing.

🌿 It enhances immune defense, reducing infection risk in surgical wounds.

🌿 Deficiency delays granulation tissue formation.

🌿 B-complex vitamins have other metabolic roles but are less critical for connective tissue repair.

🌿 Post-amputation, adequate Vitamin C intake promotes faster recovery.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

WBC count 20,000/mm3

Rationale :

🔵 Elevated WBC suggests active infection, contraindicating elective surgery.

🔵 Surgery in the presence of infection increases sepsis risk.

🔵 Normal hematocrit, creatinine, and potassium are not urgent concerns pre-op.

🔵 Detecting infection early allows for postponement and treatment.

🔵 Infection control optimizes surgical healing outcomes.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Administer antibiotics to the client.

Rationale :

🟡 Osteomyelitis is a bone infection requiring urgent antibiotic therapy.

🟡 Early treatment prevents spread and chronic infection.

🟡 IV antibiotics target causative organisms identified by culture.

🟡 Pain and fever management are supportive but secondary to infection control.

🟡 Rapid antimicrobial therapy reduces risk of sepsis.

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QLexNursing

1 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new short-leg cast on his lower leg to treat an ankle fracture. Which of the following findings requires immediate notification of the provider?

2 :
Which of the following actions should the nurse take immediately to prevent complications?

3 :
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

4 :
A nurse is assessing a client who has a fracture of the femur. The nurse obtains vital signs on admission and again in 2 hours. Which of the following changes in assessment should indicate to the nurse that the client could be developing a serious complication?

6 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an arthroplasty. The nurse asks client to state if he understands the procedure that is being performed. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the procedure?

7 :
A nurse is discussing the differences between skeletal and skin traction with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates understanding?

8 :
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is postoperative following below-the-knee amputation. The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following nutrients is necessary for wound healing?

9 :
A nurse is reviewing the diagnostic test results of an older adult female client who is preoperative for a knee arthroplasty. The nurse should notify the surgeon of which of the following results?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute osteomyelitis. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?

QLexNursing

1 : A nurse is caring for a client who has a new short-leg cast on his lower leg to treat an ankle fracture. Which of the following findings requires immediate notification of the provider?

2 : Which of the following actions should the nurse take immediately to prevent complications?

3 : A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

4 : A nurse is assessing a client who has a fracture of the femur. The nurse obtains vital signs on admission and again in 2 hours. Which of the following changes in assessment should indicate to the nurse that the client could be developing a serious complication?

6 : A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an arthroplasty. The nurse asks client to state if he understands the procedure that is being performed. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the procedure?

7 : A nurse is discussing the differences between skeletal and skin traction with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates understanding?

8 : A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is postoperative following below-the-knee amputation. The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following nutrients is necessary for wound healing?

9 : A nurse is reviewing the diagnostic test results of an older adult female client who is preoperative for a knee arthroplasty. The nurse should notify the surgeon of which of the following results?

10 : A nurse is caring for a client who has acute osteomyelitis. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?

1 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new short-leg cast on his lower leg to treat an ankle fracture. Which of the following findings requires immediate notification of the provider?

2 :
Which of the following actions should the nurse take immediately to prevent complications?

3 :
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

4 :
A nurse is assessing a client who has a fracture of the femur. The nurse obtains vital signs on admission and again in 2 hours. Which of the following changes in assessment should indicate to the nurse that the client could be developing a serious complication?

6 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an arthroplasty. The nurse asks client to state if he understands the procedure that is being performed. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the procedure?

7 :
A nurse is discussing the differences between skeletal and skin traction with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates understanding?

8 :
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is postoperative following below-the-knee amputation. The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following nutrients is necessary for wound healing?

9 :
A nurse is reviewing the diagnostic test results of an older adult female client who is preoperative for a knee arthroplasty. The nurse should notify the surgeon of which of the following results?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute osteomyelitis. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?