Question

A 4-year-old child sustains a fall at home and is brought to the emergency department by the mother. After an x-ray, it is determined that the child has a fractured arm, and a plaster cast is applied. The nurse provides instructions to the mother regarding cast care for the child. Which statement by the mother indicates the need for further instructions?

a) I will keep the cast clean and dry.
b) I will use a hairdryer on the cool setting if the cast gets wet.
c) I will encourage my child to scratch underneath the cast with a pencil.
d) I will monitor for any signs of skin irritation or swelling.

Answer 1

The mother needs further instructions because scratching underneath the cast can lead to skin irritation and damage the healing process.

Step-by-step explanation:

To properly care for a plaster cast, it is important to follow certain instructions. The statement that indicates the need for further instructions is option c) 'I will encourage my child to scratch underneath the cast with a pencil.' Scratching underneath the cast can lead to skin irritation and potentially damage the healing process. The other statements are correct: keeping the cast clean and dry, using a hairdryer on the cool setting if it gets wet, and monitoring for signs of skin irritation or swelling.