Author Question: A patient presents to the emergency department with a fractured leg that requires a full leg cast. ... (Read 32 times)

jon_i · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A patient presents to the emergency department with a fractured leg that requires a full leg cast. The nurse needs to teach the patient to ambulate with crutches using which of the following?

a. Two-point gait
b. Three-point gait
c. Four-point gait
d. Tripod alternating position

Question 2

An older adult patient complains of thirst, headache, and weight loss. The patient appears emaciated. On physical assessment the nurse finds that the patient's skin does not return to normal shape after being assessed.

This finding is consistent with which of the following? a. Pallor
b. Cyanosis
c. Erythema
d. Poor skin turgor

parker125 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Three-point gait requires the patient to bear all of the weight on one foot. In a three-point gait, the patient puts weight on both crutches and then on the uninvolved leg. A two-point gait requires at least partial weight bearing on each foot. A four-point gait gives stability to the patient but requires weight bearing on both legs. The tripod position is the basic crutch stance.

Answer to Question 2

D
Turgor is the skin's elasticity. To assess skin turgor, grasp a fold of skin on the back of the forearm or sternal area with the fingertips and release. Normally the skin lifts easily and snaps back immediately to its resting position. The skin stays pinched or tented when turgor is poor. You can see pallor (unusual paleness) more easily in the face, buccal mucosa (mouth), conjunctivae, and nail beds. Localized skin changes, such as pallor or erythema (red discoloration), often indicate circulatory changes or are caused by localized vasodilation resulting from sunburn or fever. Observe for cyanosis (bluish discoloration) in the lips, nail beds, palpebral conjunctivae, and palms.