Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a distal radius fracture with a short arm cast applied.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Immobile the client’s fingers using a hand splint
b) Perform neurovascular check of the affected extremity ever 2 hr
c) Use hair dryer to blow hot air into the cast to relieve itching
d) Position the fractured arm below the level of the client’s heart 61.

Answer 1

For a client with a distal radius fracture and a cast, neurovascular checks should be performed every two hours. Complications from involvement of the radiocarpal joint include decreased range of motion and potential arthritis. A Colles fracture may need surgery depending on fracture stability and displacement.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client with a distal radius fracture and a short arm cast, the nurse should perform a neurovascular check of the affected extremity every two hours. This is crucial for monitoring blood flow and neurological function, ensuring that the cast is not too tight, which could compromise circulation and nerve function in the limb. Contrary to some other methods mentioned, the correct care does not involve immobilizing the client's fingers unless specifically indicated by a physician, using hot air to relieve itching as this can cause burns, or positioning the arm below heart level as this can increase swelling.

If a fracture of the distal radius involves the joint surface of the radiocarpal joint of the wrist, it can lead to complications such as decreased range of motion, pain, and arthritis, which can impede hand and wrist function. A Colles fracture, a specific type of distal radius fracture resulting from a fall onto an outstretched hand, often presents as a "dinner fork" deformity of the wrist, and may require surgery if the fracture is unstable or displaced. The treatment of a Colles fracture typically involves realignment of the bone fragments and possibly the insertion of hardware to maintain the correct position during healing.