The patient with a broken arm in a plaster cast requests to take a shower. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

“We can wrap your cast in a plastic bag and tape it to your arm to protect your cast.”. The nurse must facilitate normal hygiene practices for the individual in order to improve coping. Wrapping the cast in plastic and securing with tape is an acceptable way to protect the cast during a shower. A sponge bath is not specifically necessary. Although it is true that salons will wash injured individuals’ hair for a nominal fee, this may not address the patient’s need for normalcy. Even bathing in a bathtub will likely require covering the plaster cast with plastic in order to protect it.

The patient with a broken arm in a plaster cast requests to take ...

NCLEX Practice
Categories
Basic Care and Comfort
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Category: Basic Care and Comfort
Difficulty: 4

Topics: Communication & Documentation Musculoskeletal

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