Question

CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES

1  A 30-year-old nurse seeks treatment for acute low back pain in the hospital occupational health clinic after a lifting injury sustained from transferring a patient with obesity the previous evening. He tells you that his fellow nurses always ask him to help with heavy lifts. He wants to know if a lumbar brace will help to diminish his back pain. He also wonders if he should wear one all the time while at work. What is the strength of the evidence that supports or does not support the use of a lumbar brace for this patient, in either alleviating his pain or in preventing further lumbar strain?

2  A college student presents to the student health center after she jammed the first digit of her right foot on her dormitory room door. Describe the priority assessment process that you would follow when you examine her right foot. What is the expected care for a possible broken toe?

3 At the medical clinic where you work as a nurse, a 65-year-old man who is overweight presents with persistent low-grade pain along his lumbar spine. He believes it is related to moving around some boxes about a month ago. He has a history of heavy cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and a personal history of prostatic cancer. What are the risk factors for problems other than muscle strain that must be considered, based on his medical history?

Answer 1

1- Lumbar braces help to stabilize and protect the areas of the back where there is more pain. It works by providing additional support to the lower back and spine. By reducing spinal pressure, a lumbar brace may reduce painful muscle tension that has occurred after any injury. It is used to prevent or restrict painful movements, such as twisting the spine or bending forward, backward, or to the side.

Lumbar braces should not be worn all the time. Excessive use can lead to the weakening of core.