The nurse is caring for an active 14-year-old boy who has ...

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The nurse is caring for an active 14-year-old boy who has recently been diagnosed with scoliosis. He is dismayed that a jock like himself could have this condition, and is afraid it will impact his spot on the water polo team.
 
  Which response by the nurse would best address the boy's concerns? A) If you wear your brace properly, you may not need surgery..
  B) The good news is that you have very minimal curvature of your spine..
  C) Let's talk to another boy with scoliosis, who is winning trophies for his swim team..
  D) Let's talk to the doctor about your treatment options..

Question 2

An 8-year-old girl was diagnosed with a closed fracture of the radius at approximately 2 p.m. The fracture was reduced in the emergency department and her arm placed in a cast. At 11 p.m.
 
  her mother brings her back to the emergency department due to unrelenting pain that has not been relieved by the prescribed narcotics. Which action would be the priority? A) Notifying the doctor immediately
  B) Applying ice
  C) Elevating the arm
  D) Giving additional pain medication as ordered

[flexer1n1]

Answer to Question 1

C
Feedback:
Because this boy is concerned about limiting his participation in water polo and perceives scoliosis as a disease that does not affect jocks, putting the child in contact with someone with the same problem would be helpful. Telling the adolescent about not needing surgery if he wears his brace or that his curvature is minimal may or may not be true in his case and thus would be false reassurance. Although these suggestions and also the suggestion about talking to the doctor about treatment options could be helpful by engaging his input in the treatment, these do not address his specific concerns about his body image.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
The nurse should notify the doctor immediately because the girl's symptoms are the classic sign of compartment syndrome. Immediate treatment is required to prevent excessive swelling and to detect neurovascular compromise as quickly as possible. The ice should be removed and the arm brought below the level of the heart to facilitate whatever circulation is present. Giving additional pain medication will not help in this situation.

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TYSM

[Alyson.hiatt@yahoo.com]

Excellent