A client with a long leg cast is complaining of knee discomfort. ...

[saliriagwu]

A client with a long leg cast is complaining of knee discomfort. Which nonpharmacologic intervention can the nurse use to help this client?
 
  1. Apply ice to the knee over the cast.
  2. Rub the knee of the non-casted leg.
  3. Apply heat to the knee over the cast.
  4. Rub the foot of the casted extremity.

Question 2

A client who is on postoperative day one from abdominal surgery is requesting a back rub. The nurse realizes this care should be provided by:
 
  1. The registered nurse.
  2. Unlicensed assistive personnel.
  3. No one since, the client cannot assume the prone position.
  4. The physician.

[Bsand8]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Ice will not penetrate the cast.
Rationale 2: The nurse can use contralateral stimulation, which is accomplished by stimulating the skin in an area opposite to the painful area, such as stimulating the left knee if the pain is in the right knee. The nurse should explain the rationale to the client in that nerves are crossed in the spinal cord, and that is why this technique works contralaterally.
Rationale 3: Heat will not penetrate the cast.
Rationale 4: Rubbing the foot might not be effective to reduce pain in the knee.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Since the client is day one in recovery from abdominal surgery, the client's condition might not be stable enough to have unlicensed assistive personnel perform the skill.
Rationale 2: Although unlicensed assistive personnel might be able to perform the skill, the client's condition might warrant that the nurse provide the back rub.
Rationale 3: The client can assume a side-lying position for the back rub.
Rationale 4: The nurse can provide the back rub. The physician does not need to be contacted to do this.

[saliriagwu]

Thanks

[Bsand8]

Welcome