Chapter 67 Flashcards
What is a short-arm cast?
Extends from elbow to palmar crease, secured at base of thumb. When the thumb is included, it is a thumb spica or gauntlet cast.
What a cast?
A rigid external immobilizing device.
What is a long-arm cast?
Extends from axilla to palmar crease.
What is a short-leg cast?
Extends from knee to base of toes.
What is a long-leg cast?
Extends from junction of upper and middle thigh to base of toes.
What is a walking cast?
He short or long leg cast reinforced for strength.
What is a body cast?
It encircles the trunk.
What is a shoulder spica cast?
The body jacket that encloses the trunk shoulder and elbow.
What is a hip spica cast?
It encloses the trunk and lower extremities.
What are fiberglass casts?
They are casts that are lighter weight stronger and more durable than plaster casts.
What are plaster casts?
They are cheaper and more easy to mold but are not as durable and take longer to dry.
What are splints used for?
Conditions that don’t require rigid immobilization.
What are braces used for?
Support, control movement and prevent additional injury.
Why should unrelieved pain be reported to the physician immediately?
To avoid paralysis and necrosis.
What is compartment syndrome?
A life-threatening and limb threatening condition, when there is insufficient blood supply to muscles and nerves due to increased pressure within a compartment such as an arm or a leg or any enclosed space within the body.
How can braces or casts cause pressure ulcers?
Tissue anoxia may lead to tissue breakdown and necrosis.
What is disuse syndrome?
Muscle atrophy due to immobilization in a cast.
What are some important components of teaching the patient self-care?
Participation in self-care and safe use of assistive devices. Identifying areas of self-care deficit and participating in plans to improve independence.
How does the nurse help prepare the patient for cast removal?
By teaching the patient about cast removal, and about care or the limb once the cast has been removed and how to gradually resume normal activity level.
How does the nurse help manage a patient with an immobilized upper extremity?
Elevate the arm on pillows when the patient is lying down, and the use of a sling when the patient is ambulating. Frequent neurovascular assessments are done.
How does the nurse help manage a patient with an immobilized lower extremity?
The leg is supported on pillows at heart level to help control swelling. The patient is taught to elevate the immobilized leg while sitting. Frequent neurovascular assessments are done.
How does a nurse manager patient in a body cast or spica cast?
Preparing and positioning the client, assisting with self-care and hygiene, and monitoring for cast syndrome.
How can a patient in a body cast or spica cast assist in their repositioning?
By using a trapeze bar or the side rails.
What does the nurse monitor for when assessing for possible cast syndrome?
Bowel sounds, abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting
