An 8 year old has a left femur fracture due to a motor vehicle ...

[scienceeasy]

An 8 year old has a left femur fracture due to a motor vehicle accident and is placed in skin traction until surgery in the morning. During the nurse's assessment, she notices that the dorsalis pedis pulse is absent.
 
  What is the priority for the nurse to do next? 1. Notify the doctor immediately.
   2. Give the ordered pain medication.
   3. Release the skin traction.
   4. Apply ice and elevate the foot.

Question 2

A newly married couple who are both carriers of the sickle cell trait ask what the risk is of their children having sickle cell anemia. The nurse explains:
 
  a. Every fourth child will have the disease; two others will be carriers
  b. All of their children will be carriers, just as they are
  c. Each child has a 1 in 4 chance of having the disease and a 2 in 4 chance of being a carrier
  d. The risk levels of their children cannot be determined by this information

[Carliemb17]

Answer to Question 1

1
Feedback
1. The absence of the pulse is a concern for lack of blood flow to the extremity.
2. The pain medication will not help regain blood flow.
3. Skin traction is not to be released without a doctor's order.
4. Ice and elevation decrease swelling and do not help to regain a pulse.

Answer to Question 2

C
The sickle cell gene is inherited from both parents; therefore each offspring has a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting the disease.