A nurse should monitor which of the following findings for a child post-lower leg cast application?

A nurse should monitor which of the following findings for a child post-lower leg cast application?

• A. Pain in the uncasted leg
• B. Increased range of motion
• C. Restricted ability to move toes
• D. Temporal pulse of 80 bpm

Answer: (C)

Monitoring a child post-lower leg cast application is crucial to ensure proper circulation and nerve function, particularly in the toes. Assessing the restricted ability to move the toes is significant because it can indicate potential complications associated with casting, such as compartment syndrome or nerve damage. These conditions can compromise blood flow and motor function. If the child has difficulty moving their toes, it may suggest that pressure from the cast is impacting nerve function or restricting blood flow. Thus, closely observing this ability can help the nurse identify early signs of complications and implement necessary interventions. In contrast, observing pain in the uncasted leg, increased range of motion, or a pulse rate may not directly indicate issues arising from the cast itself and could lead to irrelevant assessments regarding the cast's impact on the immobilized leg. Therefore, the ability to move the toes becomes the most relevant and critical point to monitor in a post-cast application scenario.

Monitoring a child post-lower leg cast application is crucial to ensure proper circulation and nerve function, particularly in the toes. Assessing the restricted ability to move the toes is significant because it can indicate potential complications associated with casting, such as compartment syndrome or nerve damage. These conditions can compromise blood flow and motor function.

If the child has difficulty moving their toes, it may suggest that pressure from the cast is impacting nerve function or restricting blood flow. Thus, closely observing this ability can help the nurse identify early signs of complications and implement necessary interventions.

In contrast, observing pain in the uncasted leg, increased range of motion, or a pulse rate may not directly indicate issues arising from the cast itself and could lead to irrelevant assessments regarding the cast's impact on the immobilized leg. Therefore, the ability to move the toes becomes the most relevant and critical point to monitor in a post-cast application scenario.