Final answer:
A statement indicating severe, increasing pain unrelieved by medication, abnormal sensations, or changes in skin color or temperature in the extremity distal to the cast could signal compartment syndrome, a condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
A statement by the client that indicates an immediate risk for compartment syndrome following a cast application due to a broken arm would be reports of severe and increasing pain, especially if that pain seems out of proportion to the injury and unrelieved by pain medication.
Other alarming signs include a feeling of tingly or burning sensations in the limb, a tense or swollen feeling beneath the cast, or if the fingers or toes (distal to the cast) are pale, blue, or cold to touch. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition where increased pressure within one of the body's anatomical compartments results in insufficient blood supply to tissue within that space, potentially damaging nerves and muscles.