Bone to Pick: Nursing Priorities
This assessment should be done first when a patient reports unrelieved pain after a new cast is applied.
What is assessing the 5 Ps?
This method can be used to relieve itching inside a cast.
What is blowing cool air into the cast?
This lab value is most concerning in a post-op open fracture patient.
What is a temperature of 101.2°F?
This symptom is a hallmark of hypothyroidism.
What is weight gain?
This trio of symptoms is characteristic of Addison’s disease.
What are fatigue, hyperpigmentation, and hypotension?
This symptom requires immediate attention in SIADH.
What is confusion?
This food or supplement should be avoided when taking oral iron.
What is dairy?
This cell type proliferates abnormally in AML.
What are immature white blood cells (blasts)?
This serious complication is suspected when a patient in skeletal traction suddenly becomes short of breath and has chest pain.
What is fat embolism?
This action is a priority when caring for a patient in skin traction.
What is assessing for skin breakdown every shift?
These four signs may indicate the development of compartment syndrome.
What are pallor, paralysis, paresthesia, and severe pain?
These three symptoms are expected in hyperthyroidism
What are weight loss, anxiety, and heat intolerance?
This teaching point is essential for corticosteroid therapy in Addison’s disease.
What is increasing the dose during stress?
This lab finding confirms the diagnosis of SIADH.
What is decreased serum osmolality?
This symptom is common in sickle cell crisis and requires opioid treatment.
What is pain?
This is the hallmark cell seen in Hodgkin lymphoma.
What is the Reed-Sternberg cell?
This is the best method to assess neurovascular integrity in a casted limb.
What is capillary refill, skin temp, color, sensation, movement?
This instruction is essential when teaching safe crutch walking.
What is supporting weight on the hands?
This nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient with a pin site that has foul-smelling yellow drainage.
What is risk for infection?
This electrolyte imbalance occurs in hypoparathyroidism.
What is hypocalcemia?
This hormone is deficient in diabetes insipidus.
What is ADH?
This electrolyte imbalance is expected in DI.
What is hypernatremia?
This lab finding is expected in aplastic anemia.
What is pancytopenia?
This is the most common leukemia in older adults.
What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
This intervention is the nurse's priority when caring for a patient with an open compound fracture
What is covering the wound with a sterile dressing?
This is the nurse’s best response when a patient attempts to adjust traction weights.
What is 'Only your provider can adjust the weights'?
The purpose of elevating a fractured limb.
What is to decrease swelling and pain?
This finding requires immediate action after a thyroidectomy.
What is a positive Trousseau’s sign?
This medication is used to treat central diabetes insipidus.
What is desmopressin (DDAVP)?
These three nursing interventions are appropriate for SIADH.
What are fluid restriction, daily weights, and monitoring LOC?
This type of anemia is due to a lack of erythropoietin in renal failure.
What is anemia of chronic renal disease?
This plasma cell malignancy causes bone pain and fractures.
What is multiple myeloma?
This finding indicates a complication known as Volkmann’s contracture.
What is a flexed wrist with severe pain?
These three complications are common from immobility with a long leg cast. (SATA-style)
What are DVT, constipation, and skin breakdown?
This is the correct patient statement following below-knee amputation to prevent contractures.
What is 'I will lie on my stomach several times daily'?
This medication works by blocking thyroid hormone synthesis in Graves' disease.
What is methimazole?
This is a hallmark physical appearance in Cushing’s syndrome.
What are thin extremities with central obesity?
This assessment is the priority during flu symptoms in a patient with Addison’s disease.
What is blood pressure?
This vitamin deficiency causes neurologic symptoms and macrocytic anemia.
What is vitamin B12 deficiency?
This disorder has a risk of progression to AML and presents with pancytopenia.
What is myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)?