An 8-year-old boy with a fractured forearm is to have a ...

[maegan_martin]

An 8-year-old boy with a fractured forearm is to have a fiberglass cast applied. Which of the following would the nurse include when teaching the child about the cast?
 
  A) The cast will take a day or two to dry completely.
  B) The edges will be covered with a soft material to prevent irritation.
  C) The child initially may experience a very warm feeling inside the cast.
  D) The child will need to keep his arm down at his side for 48 hours.

Question 2

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a child who is to have his cast removed. Which of the following would the nurse most likely include?
 
  A) Applying petroleum jelly to the dry skin
  B) Rubbing the skin vigorously to remove the dead skin
  C) Soaking the area in warm water every day
  D) Washing the skin with dilute peroxide and water

[fur]

Answer to Question 1

C
Feedback:
A fiberglass cast usually takes only a few minutes to dry and will cause a very warm feeling inside the cast. Therefore, the nurse needs to warn the child that this will occur. Fiberglass casts usually have a soft fabric edge so they usually do not cause skin rubbing at the edges and don't require petaling. The child should be instructed to elevate his arm above the level of the heart for the first 48 hours.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
After a cast is removed, the child and family should be instructed to soak the area in warm water every day to help soften and remove the dry flaky skin. Moisturizing lotion, not petroleum jelly, should be applied to the skin. Vigorous rubbing would traumatize the skin and should be avoided. Warm soapy water, not dilute peroxide and water, should be used to wash the area.

[maegan_martin]

Correct answers!

[fur]

Great! Please up vote