Chapter 25 Mechanical Immobilization

Chapter 25  Mechanical Immobilization

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1.
A nurse is assisting a physician in applying an emergency splint to a client who injured his leg while skateboarding. Which of the following actions should the nurse remember when applying an emergency splint?
A)
Avoid changing the position of the injured part.
B)
Remove the client’s high-top shoe in case of ankle injury.
C)
Avoid covering the open wound at the injury site.
D)
Select a flexible splinting material.
Ans:
A

Feedback:

When applying an emergency splint, the nurse should avoid changing the position of the injured part to prevent additional injuries. The nurse should leave a high-top shoe in place in case of ankle injury to reduce pain and swelling. Open wounds should not be left open but rather should be covered with a clean dressing to prevent dirt and pathogens from entering. The nurse should select rigid splinting material such as a flat board or a broom handle to provide support while restricting movement.

2.
A nurse is cleansing the skin around the pin site of a client. Which of the following signs confirms the need to obtain a wound culture?
A)
Numbness at the site
B)
Cool temperature at the site
C)
Swelling distal to the site
D)
Purulent drainage from the site
Ans:
D

Feedback:

The presence of purulent drainage at the pin site indicates the need to obtain a wound culture. Redness, swelling, and increased tenderness around the pin site are also signs that provide data for current and future comparisons. The nurse should also check if the client has a temperature and pain as it indicates the possibility of infection.

3.
A nurse is collaborating with a cast technician in applying a fiberglass cast to a client. Which of the following is a feature of a fiberglass cast as compared to a plaster of Paris (POP) cast?
A)
Inexpensive
B)
Easy to apply
C)
Durable
D)
Non-porous
Ans:
C

Feedback:

A fiberglass cast is durable, lightweight, porous, allows immediate weight bearing, and is unaffected by water. It is expensive compared to a POP cast, which is inexpensive. A POP cast is easy to apply but heavy and is prone to cracking and crumbling. Although fiberglass is porous, it is not recommended for severe injuries or those accompanied by excessive swelling.

4.
A nurse is caring for a client with pin insertions in his left thigh. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform to prevent infection to the pin site?
A)
Avoid removing crusted secretions.
B)
Avoid applying moisturizing ointment to pin sites.
C)
Teach the client to cleanse the pin sites.
D)
Cleanse the skin at the pin sites moving inward.
Ans:
B

Feedback:

In order to prevent infection to the pin site, the nurse should avoid applying ointment to pin sites unless prescribed because it reduces moisture at the site and occludes drainage. The nurse should gently remove crusted secretions because it helps in removing debris that supports the growth of microorganisms. The nurse should teach the client not to touch the pin sites in order to prevent the transmission of pathogens. The nurse should cleanse the skin at the pin sites moving outward in a circular manner to prevent microorganisms from moving toward the areas of open skin.

5.
A nurse is participating in the application of a fiberglass cast to a client’s hand. Which of the following procedures must the nurse avoid when applying premoistened rolls of fiberglass?
A)
Wash the client’s skin with soap and dry it well.
B)
Cover the skin with a protective padding.
C)
Administer a pain-relief medication.
D)
Open all the foil packets at once.
Ans:
D

Feedback:

When using premoistened rolls of fiberglass, the nurse should open the foil packets one at a time to reduce the risk of the material rapidly drying and becoming unfit for use. Regardless of whether the nurse applies a plaster cast or premoistened rolls of fiberglass, the nurse washes the client’s skin with soap, dries it well, and covers the skin with a protective padding. The nurse should administer pain-relief medication to the client only if it is prescribed by the physician.