A patient arrives in the emergency department with a swollen ankle after a soccer injury. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Soft tissue injuries are treated with rest,ice,compression,and elevation (RICE). Elevation of the ankle will decrease tissue swelling. Moving the ankle through the ROM will increase swelling and risk further injury. Cold packs should be applied the first 24 hours to reduce swelling. The nurse should not ask the patient to move or bear weight on the swollen ankle because immobilization of the inflamed or injured area promotes healing by decreasing metabolic needs of the tissues.

A Patient Arrives in the Emergency Department with a Swollen