مريض عليه جبس ساعد من ٦ ساعات. ألمه ما خف بالمورفين ويزيد لما تمد الممرضة أصابعه، والنبض محسوس. ما التصرف الصحيح؟

Six hours after forearm casting, the client’s pain is unrelieved by morphine and worsens with passive finger extension; pulses are present. What is correct?

1. Elevate the hand above heart level and apply ice
2. Be reassured because the pulse is present
3. Notify the provider immediately and keep the limb at heart level
4. Give another analgesic dose and reassess in an hour

Answer: C) Notify the provider immediately and keep the limb at heart level. Pain out of proportion that worsens with passive stretch is an early sign of compartment syndrome; loss of pulse is late. Elevation above the heart reduces perfusion, so keep it at heart level and notify the provider at once.