Question

The client is complaining of skin irritation from the edges of a cast applied the previous day. Which action should the nurse take?

1) Apply a protective padding to the edges of the cast
2) Remove the cast and reapply it
3) Administer pain medication to the client
4) Ignore the client's complaint

Answer 1

The nurse should apply protective padding to the edges of the cast to alleviate the skin irritation the client is experiencing, and it's important to address this to prevent further complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client is complaining of skin irritation from the edges of a cast applied the previous day, the nurse should take action to relieve the discomfort and prevent further irritation or injury. The appropriate response would be to apply protective padding to the edges of the cast. This helps to cushion the skin and alleviate the irritation. Removing the cast and reapplying it is unnecessary unless the cast is improperly fitted or causing significant problems. Administering pain medication may help with discomfort but does not address the root cause of the irritation. Ignoring the client's complaint is not an acceptable action as it neglects the patient's needs and could lead to further complications like skin breakdown or pressure ulcers.