Chapter 46: Amputations
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone replantation of a body part: What might
the saliva of leeches be used to treat in this patient?
a. Inadequate arterial blood flow
b. Venous insufficiency
c. Venous congestion
d. Increased arterial blood flow
ANS: C
Leeches are used to treat venous congestion:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 907 OBJ: 4 | 5
TOP: Replantation KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
2. A patient who amputated his thumb in a lawnmower accident hands the emergency
department nurse his thumb in a glass jar: What is the best action for the nurse to
implement?
a. Place the thumb in a baggie with iced lactated Ringer solution:
b. Wrap the thumb in plastic wrap and place it on ice:
c. Leave the thumb in the jar and place it in the refrigerator:
d. Wrap the thumb in a cloth saturated with normal saline and place it in a baggie:
ANS: D
The amputated part should be wrapped in a towel soaked with normal saline solution,
placed in a baggie, and put in a cool bath:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 906 OBJ: 4
TOP: Care of the Amputated Thumb KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
, MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
3. A patient who has a below-the-elbow prosthesis shows the home health care nurse the
residual limb, which is red, edematous, and warm to touch: What should the nurse
instruct this patient to do?
a. Apply soothing lotion to the residual limb before replacing the prosthesis:
b. Dampen the prosthetic limb sock to hydrate and cool the residual limb:
c. Pad the socket with lamb’s wool and replace the prosthesis:
d. Leave the prosthesis off and notify physician:
ANS: D
An inflamed residual limb suggests an infection: the prosthesis should be removed,
the limb should be gently cleansed with soap and water, and the physician should be
notified:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 903 OBJ: 5
TOP: Infection KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
4. A child comes to the school nurse with his index finger partially amputated and hanging
by a shred of skin and muscle: What is the best action by the nurse?
a. Flush the hand with warm water and wrap it in a towel:
b. Carefully cut the skin holding the finger and wrap the finger and hand in a clean
towel:
c. Pinch the finger to stop the bleeding and take the child to the hospital:
d. Wrap the hand and finger securely and place it on an ice water–filled plastic bag:
ANS: D
The nurse should leave the shred of skin and muscle intact, wrap the hand and finger
in a towel soaked in normal saline, and place it on a cool surface:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 906 OBJ: 4
TOP: Partial Amputation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone replantation of a body part: What might
the saliva of leeches be used to treat in this patient?
a. Inadequate arterial blood flow
b. Venous insufficiency
c. Venous congestion
d. Increased arterial blood flow
ANS: C
Leeches are used to treat venous congestion:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 907 OBJ: 4 | 5
TOP: Replantation KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
2. A patient who amputated his thumb in a lawnmower accident hands the emergency
department nurse his thumb in a glass jar: What is the best action for the nurse to
implement?
a. Place the thumb in a baggie with iced lactated Ringer solution:
b. Wrap the thumb in plastic wrap and place it on ice:
c. Leave the thumb in the jar and place it in the refrigerator:
d. Wrap the thumb in a cloth saturated with normal saline and place it in a baggie:
ANS: D
The amputated part should be wrapped in a towel soaked with normal saline solution,
placed in a baggie, and put in a cool bath:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 906 OBJ: 4
TOP: Care of the Amputated Thumb KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
, MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
3. A patient who has a below-the-elbow prosthesis shows the home health care nurse the
residual limb, which is red, edematous, and warm to touch: What should the nurse
instruct this patient to do?
a. Apply soothing lotion to the residual limb before replacing the prosthesis:
b. Dampen the prosthetic limb sock to hydrate and cool the residual limb:
c. Pad the socket with lamb’s wool and replace the prosthesis:
d. Leave the prosthesis off and notify physician:
ANS: D
An inflamed residual limb suggests an infection: the prosthesis should be removed,
the limb should be gently cleansed with soap and water, and the physician should be
notified:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 903 OBJ: 5
TOP: Infection KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
4. A child comes to the school nurse with his index finger partially amputated and hanging
by a shred of skin and muscle: What is the best action by the nurse?
a. Flush the hand with warm water and wrap it in a towel:
b. Carefully cut the skin holding the finger and wrap the finger and hand in a clean
towel:
c. Pinch the finger to stop the bleeding and take the child to the hospital:
d. Wrap the hand and finger securely and place it on an ice water–filled plastic bag:
ANS: D
The nurse should leave the shred of skin and muscle intact, wrap the hand and finger
in a towel soaked in normal saline, and place it on a cool surface:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 906 OBJ: 4
TOP: Partial Amputation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
