Author Question: A nurse cares for an older adult client who is recovering from a leg amputation surgery. The client ... (Read 117 times)

dejastew · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A nurse cares for an older adult 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. How should the nurse respond?

a. Your vital signs are good, and you are doing just fine right now.
b. Your children are waiting outside. Do you want them to grow up without a father?
c. This is a big change for you. What support system do you have to help you cope?
d. You will be able to do some of the same things as before you became disabled.

Question 2

A nurse assesses a client with a rotator cuff injury. Which finding should the nurse expect to assess?

a. Inability to maintain adduction of the affected arm for more than 30 seconds
b. Shoulder pain that is relieved with overhead stretches and at night
c. Inability to initiate or maintain abduction of the affected arm at the shoulder
d. Referred pain to the shoulder and arm opposite the affected shoulder

milbourne11 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The client feels like less of a person following the amputation. The nurse should help the client to identify coping mechanisms that have worked in the past and current support systems to assist the client with coping. The nurse should not ignore the client's feelings by focusing on vital signs. The nurse should not try to make the client feel guilty by alluding to family members. The nurse should not refer to the client as being disabled as this labels the client and may fuel the client's poor body image.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Clients with a rotator cuff tear are unable to initiate or maintain abduction of the affected arm at the shoulder. This is known as the drop arm test. The client should not have difficulty with adduction of the arm, nor experience referred pain to the opposite shoulder. Pain is usually more intense at night and with overhead activities.