Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who just returned from surgical decompression of the carpal ... (Read 79 times)

gonzo233 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who just returned from surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate action?

a. The patient's fingers swollen and warm.
b. The patient complains of generalized pain 5/10.
c. The capillary refill time is 8 seconds.
d. The patient's fingers are pink and cool bilaterally.

Question 2

The nurse is performing an assessment on a patient admitted for diagnostic testing to rule out fibromyalgia. Which assessment finding indicates that the patient actually may have the disord-er?

a. A decreased response to painful stimuli
b. A pain response to nonpainful stimuli
c. Absent response to painful stimuli
d. Numbness and tingling in response to painful stimuli

nital · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
A capillary refill of over 5 seconds is an indication of diminished perfusion. Pain and swelling are to be expected, and pink but cool fingers bilaterally do not indicate circulatory compromise.

Answer to Question 2

B
Allodynia, pain response to nonpainful stimuli, is one of the signs typically seen in the patient with fibromyalgia. Patients with fibromyalgia often experience hyperalgesia, which is a heigh-tened response to painful stimuli.