A nurse is giving discharge instructions to the parents of a child who has a broken arm and has just been fitted with a fiberglass cast. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Swimming is contraindicated with a fiberglass cast, as water exposure risks skin irritation or cast damage. A hair dryer relieves itching. Allowing swimming risks infection or cast breakdown, critical to avoid in ensuring proper healing and parental education for children with arm casts. Choice B reason: Positioning the arm in a sling at bedtime is unnecessary; elevation on pillows promotes circulation. A hair dryer addresses itching. Assuming a sling is required risks discomfort, critical to prevent in ensuring proper cast care and comfort for children post-fracture. Choice C reason: Using a hair dryer on a cool setting safely relieves itching under a fiberglass cast, preventing skin irritation from scratching. This instruction is critical for comfort, ensuring proper cast care, supporting healing, and educating parents on safe management of a child’s arm cast post-injury. Choice D reason: Checking finger movement every 6 hours is insufficient; frequent checks (e.g., every 2-4 hours) ensure circulation. A hair dryer is correct for itching. Assuming 6-hour checks risks delayed detection of complications, critical to avoid in ensuring safe cast care for children with fractures.