A patient is admitted to the orthopedic unit after the application of a cast. While transferring the patient into bed, the nurse should:

Explanation

• To prevent indentations to a new cast, the nurse should support the cast with a pillow or the palms of the hands.

• Using the fingertips may indent the cast before it dries. Using the palms of the hands provides more secure support to the casted extremity being moved.

• Ice may be placed on the cast to reduce edema, but this should be done after the patient is transferred into bed.

• Using cables or ropes to support a wet cast will cause indentation.

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