A nurse is providing care for a client who has had a cast applied to her fractured arm 6 hours prior. The client is now complaining of severe pain that she describes as "even worse than when I broke my arm." What would be the nurse's best course of action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Severe pain in the site of a fracture that is out of proportion to the original injury is a hallmark of compartment syndrome. Assessment of sensory and motor function would be an appropriate first action. Analgesia alone and exercises would be insufficient to diagnose or address compartment syndrome, and infection would be an unlikely etiology of sudden pain after cast application.

A Nurse Is Providing Care for a Client Who Has