Question

The nurse instructs the client with a sprained ankle to keep the leg elevated and applies hot compresses on the affected ankle. Which standard of practice is the nurse performing?

A) Preventive care
B) Palliative care
C) Restorative care
D) Supportive care

Answer 1

The nurse administering supportive care aims to relieve the symptoms of the patient's sprained ankle by elevating the leg and applying hot compresses. These actions help reduce swelling and promote healing, which aligns with the goals of supportive care rather than preventive, palliative, or restorative care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the nurse instructs a client with a sprained ankle to keep the leg elevated and applies hot compresses, she is performing supportive care. Supportive care is defined as any care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as by managing symptoms. In the case of a sprained ankle, keeping the leg elevated and applying heat helps manage symptoms by reducing swelling and promoting healing.

In contrast to supportive care, preventive care aims to prevent diseases or injuries before they occur, palliative care is focused on relieving symptoms of a disease rather than curing it, often relevant to chronic or life-limiting conditions, and restorative care helps patients regain their independence and functionality after an injury or illness.

The RICE technique is commonly recommended for ankle sprains, which involves Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. However, applying heat is another method to aid recovery, though it is typically used after the initial acute inflammatory stage has passed to help reduce stiffness and increase blood flow.