Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse in an urgent care center is caring for a client who has a greenstick fracture of the forearm. The nurse should explain that which of the following injuries has occurred with a greenstick fracture?
A. Fragments of bone have splintered into the surrounding tissue.
This describes a comminuted fracture, not a greenstick fracture. In a comminuted fracture, the bone breaks into multiple pieces, often requiring surgical intervention for stabilization.
B. The bone ends have been forced toward each other.
This describes an impacted fracture, where one end of the fractured bone is driven into the other. This type of fracture typically occurs in long bones due to high-impact trauma.
C. Sharp edge of the bone has broken through the skin.
This describes an open (compound) fracture, where the bone pierces through the skin, increasing the risk of infection. A greenstick fracture is a closed fracture and does not break the skin.
D. The bone is cracked lengthwise but did not break all the way through.
A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture in which the bone bends and cracks on one side but does not break all the way through. This type of fracture is common in children because their bones are softer and more flexible than those of adults. It resembles a "green stick" that bends but does not snap completely.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - NY BSN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture in which the bone bends and cracks on one side but does not break all the way through. This type of fracture is common in children because their bones are softer and more flexible than those of adults. It resembles a "green stick" that bends but does not snap completely.
Similar Questions
A nurse is admitting a client who was prescribed antibiotic therapy and now has a Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because placing the client in a protective environment is not an action that the nurse should take. A protective environment is used for clients who are immunocompromised and need to be protected from exposure to pathogens. A client with Clostridium difficile infection does not need this type of isolation.
B. Place the client in a protective environment.
This is correct because disinfecting equipment in the client's room daily is an action that the nurse should take. Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that can survive on surfaces and cause infection if ingested. The nurse should use a bleach-based disinfectant to clean all equipment and surfaces in the client's room daily to prevent transmission.
C. Disinfect equipment in the client's room daily.
This is incorrect because using alcohol hand sanitizer after completing tasks for the client is not an action that the nurse should take. Alcohol hand sanitizer is not effective against Clostridium difficile spores, and can actually increase their spread. The nurse should wash their hands with soap and water after caring for the client, as this can remove the spores from the skin.
D. Have the client wear a mask when out of the room.
This is incorrect because having the client wear a mask when out of the room is not an action that the nurse should take. Clostridium difficile is not transmited through respiratory droplets, but through fecal-oral route. A mask will not prevent this mode of transmission. The nurse should limit the client's movement outside of the room, and instruct them to wash their hands before and after leaving.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because placing the client in a protective environment is not an action that the nurse should take. A protective environment is used for clients who are immunocompromised and need to be protected from exposure to pathogens. A client with Clostridium difficile infection does not need this type of isolation.
Choice B reason: This is correct because disinfecting equipment in the client's room daily is an action that the nurse should take. Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that can survive on surfaces and cause infection if ingested. The nurse should use a bleach-based disinfectant to clean all equipment and surfaces in the client's room daily to prevent transmission.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because using alcohol hand sanitizer after completing tasks for the client is not an action that the nurse should take. Alcohol hand sanitizer is not effective against Clostridium difficile spores, and can actually increase their spread. The nurse should wash their hands with soap and water after caring for the client, as this can remove the spores from the skin.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because having the client wear a mask when out of the room is not an action that the nurse should take. Clostridium difficile is not transmited through respiratory droplets, but through fecal-oral route. A mask will not prevent this mode of transmission. The nurse should limit the client's movement outside of the room, and instruct them to wash their hands before and after leaving.
A nurse is assessing a client who is in skeletal traction. The nurse should correct which of the following findings?
A. The weights rest against the foot of the bed.
Choice A reason: This is correct because the weights rest against the foot of the bed is a finding that the nurse should correct. The weights should hang freely and not touch anything, as this can interfere with the traction and cause complications such as skin breakdown, nerve damage, or infection. Choice B reason: This is incorrect because the weights are equal on each side is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The weights should be balanced and symmetrical, as this can ensure proper alignment and stability of the affected limb. Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are securely atached to the pins is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be firmly connected to the pins, as this can prevent slippage or dislodgement of the pins that can cause injury or infection. Choice D reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are in the center of the wheel grooves is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be aligned and centered in the wheel grooves, as this can prevent friction or wear and tear of the ropes that can cause malfunction or breakage.
B. The weights are equal on each side.
Choice A reason: This is correct because the weights rest against the foot of the bed is a finding that the nurse should correct. The weights should hang freely and not touch anything, as this can interfere with the traction and cause complications such as skin breakdown, nerve damage, or infection. Choice B reason: This is incorrect because the weights are equal on each side is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The weights should be balanced and symmetrical, as this can ensure proper alignment and stability of the affected limb. Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are securely atached to the pins is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be firmly connected to the pins, as this can prevent slippage or dislodgement of the pins that can cause injury or infection. Choice D reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are in the center of the wheel grooves is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be aligned and centered in the wheel grooves, as this can prevent friction or wear and tear of the ropes that can cause malfunction or breakage.
C. The ropes are securely atached to the pins.
Choice A reason: This is correct because the weights rest against the foot of the bed is a finding that the nurse should correct. The weights should hang freely and not touch anything, as this can interfere with the traction and cause complications such as skin breakdown, nerve damage, or infection. Choice B reason: This is incorrect because the weights are equal on each side is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The weights should be balanced and symmetrical, as this can ensure proper alignment and stability of the affected limb. Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are securely atached to the pins is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be firmly connected to the pins, as this can prevent slippage or dislodgement of the pins that can cause injury or infection. Choice D reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are in the center of the wheel grooves is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be aligned and centered in the wheel grooves, as this can prevent friction or wear and tear of the ropes that can cause malfunction or breakage.
D. The ropes are in the center of the wheel grooves.
Choice A reason: This is correct because the weights rest against the foot of the bed is a finding that the nurse should correct. The weights should hang freely and not touch anything, as this can interfere with the traction and cause complications such as skin breakdown, nerve damage, or infection. Choice B reason: This is incorrect because the weights are equal on each side is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The weights should be balanced and symmetrical, as this can ensure proper alignment and stability of the affected limb. Choice C reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are securely atached to the pins is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be firmly connected to the pins, as this can prevent slippage or dislodgement of the pins that can cause injury or infection. Choice D reason: This is incorrect because the ropes are in the center of the wheel grooves is a finding that the nurse should not correct. The ropes should be aligned and centered in the wheel grooves, as this can prevent friction or wear and tear of the ropes that can cause malfunction or breakage.
A nurse is preparing a client who is postoperative following a below-the-knee amputation for a leg prosthesis fitting. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Wrap the stump with an elastic bandage in a figure-eight configuration.
Choice A reason: This is correct because wrapping the stump with an elastic bandage in a figure-eight configuration is an action that the nurse should take. This can help reduce swelling, shape the stump, and prevent contractures. The nurse should start from the distal end and move proximally, applying even pressure and avoiding wrinkles or gaps.
B. Secure the elastic bandage to the lowest joint.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because securing the elastic bandage to the lowest joint is not an action that the nurse should take. The nurse should secure the elastic bandage to the highest joint, such as the knee or hip, to prevent slipping or constriction of blood flow.
C. Remove the elastic bandage and re-wrap the stump once per day.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because removing the elastic bandage and re-wrapping the stump once per day is not an action that the nurse should take. The nurse should remove and re-wrap the stump several times per day, or whenever it becomes loose or uncomfortable, to maintain proper compression and circulation.
D. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises once daily.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because performing passive range-of-motion exercises once daily is not an action that the nurse should take. The nurse should encourage the client to perform active range-of-motion exercises several times per day, as prescribed by the provider or physical therapist, to improve muscle strength and mobility. Passive range-of-motion exercises are done by someone else moving the client's joints, which can cause pain or injury.