Ch. 47: Musculoskeletal Trauma

A nurse teaches assistive personnel (AP) about providing hygiene for a client in traction. Which statement would the nurse include as part of the teaching about this client's care?

"Ensure that the weights remain freely hanging at all times."

A nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from an above-the-knee amputation and reports pain in the limb that was removed. How would the nurse respond?

"How would you describe the pain that you are feeling?"

After teaching a client who is recovering from a vertebroplasty, the nurse assesses the patient's understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional teaching?

"I can drive myself home after the procedure."

The nurse is teaching a client how to use a cane after a right surgical fractured fibula repair. What health teaching would the nurse include?

"Place the cane on your left side."

A nurse cares for a client placed in skeletal traction. The client asks, "What is the primary purpose of this type of traction?" How would the nurse respond?

"Skeletal traction will assist in realigning your fractured bone."

A nurse is caring for an older client who is recovering from a leg amputation surgery. The client states, "I don't want to live with only one leg. I should have died during the surgery." What is the nurse's best response?

"This is a big change for you. What support system do you have to help you cope?"

A nurse cares for a client who had a wrist cast applied 3 days ago. The client states, "The cast is loose enough to slide off." How would the nurse respond?

"You need a new cast now that the swelling is decreased."

A client who had a traumatic above-the-knee amputation states that he fears he will never have an intimate relationship again. What is the nurse's best response?

"You think you won't be able to have sex again?"

The nurse is performing a neurovascular assessment for an older client who has an extremity fracture. How many seconds would the nurse expect for a capillary refill in it is within normal range?

5 seconds

A nurse is caring for several clients with fractures. Which client would the nurse identify as being at the highest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis?

A 74-year-old male who smokes and has a fractured pelvis

A nurse assesses an older adult who was admitted 2 days ago with a fractured hip. The nurse notes that the client is confused and restless with an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which action would the nurse take first?

Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.

A client is admitted to the emergency department with a fractured femur resulting from a motor vehicle crash. What the nurse's priority action?

Assess airway, breathing, and circulation.

The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who have a regional nerve blockade for a surgical tibial fracture repair this morning. What assessment finding would the nurse expect?

Client reports little to no pain.

A client who had a fractured ankle open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) 4 weeks ago reports burning pain and tingling in the affected foot. For which potential complication would the nurse anticipate?

Complex regional pain syndrome

A nurse plans care for a client who is recovering from a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg. Which intervention would the nurse include in this client's plan of care?

Encourage range-of-motion exercises.

A nurse assesses a client with a pelvic fracture. Which assessment finding would the nurse identify as a complication of this injury?

Hematuria

A nurse is caring for a client recovering from an above-the-knee amputation of the right leg. The client reports pain in the right foot. Which prescribed medication would the nurse most likely administer?

Intravenous calcitonin

The nurse is caring for a client who had a closed reduction of the left arm and notes a large wet area of drainage on the cast. What action is the most important?

Notify the primary health care provider.

A nurse cares for a client with a recently fractured tibia. Which assessment would alert the nurse to take immediate action?

Numbness in the extremity

An older client who fell at home is admitted to the emergency department and reports pain in her left groin and behind her left knee. What action would the nurse anticipate?

Obtain a left hip x-ray.

A client who had a surgical fractured femur repair reports new-onset shortness of breath and increased respirations. What is the nurse's first action?

Place the client in a high-Fowler position.

A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus who has fractured her arm. Which action would the nurse take first?

Remove the medical alert bracelet from the fractured arm.

After teaching a client with a fractured humerus, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which dietary choice demonstrates that the client correctly understands the nutrition needed to assist in healing the fracture?

Roast beef with low-fat milk and a vitamin C supplement

A nurse plans care for a client who has an external fixator on the lower leg. Which intervention would the nurse include in the plan of care to decrease the client's risk for infection?

Scheduling for pin care to be provided every shift