A 55-year-old woman with uterine cancer is undergoing an open panhysterectomy.She is positioned in Trendelenburg position to facilitate exposure of the lower pelvis and displacement of the small bowel from the operative area.The surgical team gently abducted the patient's arms into position on padded arm boards at less than 90 degrees with palms facing up.Extra padding was placed under her elbows,and an arm board strap was secured over her forearm.The arm boards were locked into place to prevent inadvertent abduction.This important maneuver is designed as a risk reduction strategy to prevent:

Question

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Whenever possible the nurse positions the patient's arms on padded arm boards with the palms up and fingers extended.Arm boards are maintained at less than a 90-degree angle to prevent stretching of the brachial plexus.Care should be taken to protect all patients from integumentary,musculoskeletal,and nerve injuries while ensuring adequate circulatory,renal,and respiratory functions.

A 55-Year-Old Woman with Uterine Cancer Is Undergoing an Open