NURSING CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAST CARE AND PATIENT ASSESSMENT

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAST CARE AND PATIENT ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS What should be assessed in a cast care routine every 1-2 hours? Answer Circulation, sensation, and mobility in exposed fingers and toes. How should a wet cast be handled? Answer With the palm of the hands, not fingers. What position should the extremity be in after cast application? Answer Elevated higher than the heart. What is a nursing consideration for drying a cast? Answer Reposition the client frequently to ensure even drying. What should be done if there is blood seeping through a cast? Answer Use ice packs on the cast and circle the areas of seepage with a time marker. What is the purpose of petaling a cast? Answer To prevent chipping of the edges. What should patients be educated about regarding cast care? Answer Keep the cast clean and dry, elevate the extremity for 24-48 hours, and avoid inserting objects into the cast. What symptoms should a patient report to their provider regarding cast complications? Answer Unusual pain, decreased movement, persistent pain, foul odors, increased warmth, drainage circulation/mobility/sensation changes. What are the early signs of hypovolemia? Answer Thirst. What are the late signs of hypovolemia? changes, and Answer Weight loss of 2 pounds or more in 24 hours, hypotension, fever, rapid/weak pulse, tachypnea, dark yellow urine, and reduced cognition. What are the early signs of hypervolemia? Answer Weight gain of 2 or more pounds in 24 hours, elevated blood pressure, and increased breathing effort. What are the late signs of hypervolemia? Answer Pitting edema, distended jugular neck veins, moist breath sounds, hypertension, and dyspnea. What is included in a head-to-toe assessment? Answer Verification of patient identity, alertness, vital signs, neurological checks (PERRLA, speech), skin assessment, cardiovascular checks (pulse, cap refill), respiratory assessment, gastrointestinal checks, genitourinary checks, and musculoskeletal assessment. What does PERRLA stand for in a neurological assessment? Answer Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation.