A Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has a Leg

A nurse is caring for a patient who has a leg cast. The nurse observes that the patient uses a pencil to scratch the skin under the edge of the cast. How should the nurse respond to this observation?

A) Allow the patient to continue to scratch inside the cast with a pencil but encourage him to be cautious.
B) Give the patient a sterile tongue depressor to use for scratching instead of the pencil.
C) Encourage the patient to avoid scratching, and obtain an order for an antihistamine if severe itching persists.
D) Obtain an order for a sedative, such as lorazepam (Ativan) , to prevent the patient from scratching.