A nurse is caring for an adolescent. Admission Assessment 1400: Adolescent brought to emergency department by parents following a fall while skateboarding. Adolescent reports pain in . their right leg as 10 on a scale of 0 to 10 and is unable to bear weight. Adolescent is awake, alert, and oriented x 3. Lungs clear, respirations even and regular. S1 and S2 with regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen soft and nontender with active bowel sounds in all four quadrants. Right lower extremity with open wound and displaced bone. Right lower extremity pulse +1, extremity cool to touch, edema present, capillary refill 4 seconds. Which of the following actions should the nurse take after the adolescent returns from surgery? Select all that apply.
Explanation & Rationale
A. Remove indwelling urinary catheter when no longer indicated: This action prevents urinary tract infections and promotes bladder function. B. Elevate affected limb at chest level: This action is contraindicated because it increases venous pressure and edema in the affected extremity, which could compromise blood flow and nerve function. C. Assist the adolescent with ambulation from bed to chair: This action prevents complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and constipation by enhancing circulation, respiration, and bowel motility. D. Perform neurovascular assessments every hour: This action monitors for signs of impaired blood flow or nerve function in the affected extremity, such as changes in color, temperature, sensation, movement, or pulse. E. Apply warm packs to right extremity for the first 24hrs: This action is contraindicated because it increases blood flow and edema in the affected extremity, which could compromise blood flow and nerve function.