A nurse is caring for an 8-year-old child hospitalized 2 days ...

[CharlieWard]

A nurse is caring for an 8-year-old child hospitalized 2 days after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a femur fracture sustained in a motor vehicle crash. The child is now in a long-leg cast.
 
  Which assessment finding prompts the nurse to notify the health-care provider?
  A.
  A foul odor coming from the cast
  B.
  Child eating only 20 of meals
  C.
  Old dried drainage marked on the cast
  D.
  Request for pain medicine every 4 hours

Question 2

A child in traction is having muscle spasms. Which medication does the nurse prepare to administer?
 
  A.
  Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  B.
  Diazepam (Valium)
  C.
  Morphine sulfate (Astromorph)
  D.
  Oxycodone (Percocet)

[nmyers]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
A foul odor coming from the cast may indicate an infection at the surgical site or at the fracture site. The nurse should notify the health-care provider. Loss of appetite may be from several causes: fatigue, stress, side effect of medications, dislike of hospital food, loss of industry (child is in Erikson's stage of industry vs. inferiority), trying to regain some control, pain, or fear of pain. The nurse needs to assess this situation further to determine the cause of this issue. Old drainage would not be worrisome; if the drainage continues to increase, the nurse should notify the health-care provider. At 2 days since surgery, wanting pain medication every 4 hours is not unreasonable.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Diazepam is a muscle relaxant and is used to treat muscle spasms. The other medications are for pain.

[CharlieWard]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[kthug]

Excellent