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.