A 23-year-old woman is treated in the emergency department for an infected right index finger. Three days previously, she had got a rose thorn in her finger while gardening. On examination, the finger is red, tender, and very swollen. After removing the thorn and applying a dressing, the physician prescribes a course of antibiotics. He asks the nurse to put the patient's right arm in a sling, and warns the patient not to move the arm excessively. Explain why the patient's arm has been placed in a sling.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The immobilization of the patient's arm in a sling reduces the muscular activity and, thus, the rate of lymph flow from the limb. This serves to limit the spread of toxins and bacteria from the site of infection.

A 23-Year-Old Woman Is Treated in the Emergency Department for an Infected