Final answer:
The nurse should recommend isometric exercises for a client with a long leg cast, as these involve contracting muscles without moving the affected extremity, thus maintaining muscle strength and circulation while the limb is immobilized.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client is discharged with a long leg cast, the nurse should recommend exercises that maintain muscle strength and decrease stiffness, without causing harm to the affected extremity. The recommended type of exercises for someone with a long leg cast is isometric exercises. Isometric exercises involve contracting muscles without moving the surrounding joints. This type of exercise is especially useful for patients who are wearing a cast because it allows them to strengthen their muscles without moving the cast and risking further injury.
Common isometric exercises suitable for someone with a leg cast could include tensing the thigh muscles, contracting the calves, or squeezing the buttocks all while keeping the leg still. These exercises help maintain muscle mass and circulation while the limb is immobilized. Aerobic exercises would be less appropriate, as they generally involve more dynamic movements that are not feasible with a long leg cast. Range of motion exercises are not recommended as they involve moving the joint which may not be possible or safe. Isotonic exercises also involve joint movement which could potentially disrupt the healing process.