A student nurse is teaching a patient with a humerus fracture about cast care and discharge instructions. Which statement needs correction?

A student nurse is teaching a patient with a humerus fracture about cast care and discharge instructions. Which statement needs correction?

• A. Use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry the cast thoroughly.
• B. Elevate the extremity above the heart level.
• C. Avoid covering the cast with plastic for extended periods of time.
• D. Control the itching sensation by using a hair dryer on a cool setting at the site of itching.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how to care for a cast and manage swelling after an upper‑arm fracture. Elevation helps reduce edema, but it should support the limb in a way that preserves good blood flow. Elevating the arm too high—above the level of the heart—can sometimes reduce arterial inflow or cause numbness and tingling in the fingers because gravity and pressure can affect perfusion. The safer, more flexible guidance is to elevate the extremity so it is above heart level but not excessively high, typically on a pillow, and to monitor for signs of compromised circulation (color, warmth, sensation, movement, and cap refill). The other statements reflect correct cast-care practices: using a hair dryer on a low setting to dry the cast helps prevent dampness and skin irritation; avoiding covering the cast with plastic for extended periods prevents moisture buildup and skin problems; and using a hair dryer on a cool setting to relieve itching at the site is a common, safe approach. So, the statement that needs correction is the one about elevating the extremity above heart level; adjust it to elevating the limb to a level above the heart only as needed for edema control, ensuring adequate perfusion at all times.

The main idea here is how to care for a cast and manage swelling after an upper‑arm fracture. Elevation helps reduce edema, but it should support the limb in a way that preserves good blood flow. Elevating the arm too high—above the level of the heart—can sometimes reduce arterial inflow or cause numbness and tingling in the fingers because gravity and pressure can affect perfusion. The safer, more flexible guidance is to elevate the extremity so it is above heart level but not excessively high, typically on a pillow, and to monitor for signs of compromised circulation (color, warmth, sensation, movement, and cap refill).

The other statements reflect correct cast-care practices: using a hair dryer on a low setting to dry the cast helps prevent dampness and skin irritation; avoiding covering the cast with plastic for extended periods prevents moisture buildup and skin problems; and using a hair dryer on a cool setting to relieve itching at the site is a common, safe approach.

So, the statement that needs correction is the one about elevating the extremity above heart level; adjust it to elevating the limb to a level above the heart only as needed for edema control, ensuring adequate perfusion at all times.