Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What is a potential risk associated with wearing a spica cast?

1. Pulmonary embolism

2. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome

3. Deep vein thrombosis

4. Pressure ulcers

The correct answer is: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome

Wearing a spica cast is associated with several potential risks due to the immobilization and restricted body movement that it enforces. One notable risk is superior mesenteric artery syndrome, which can occur when the duodenum becomes compressed between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This compression can lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The position that a spica cast holds the body in can hinder gastrointestinal motility, and prolonged immobility can subsequently lead to weight loss or malnutrition, further exacerbating the risk for superior mesenteric artery syndrome. This syndrome often requires careful monitoring and possible intervention to relieve the compression, making it a significant concern for patients in such casts. In contrast, while deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pressure ulcers are legitimate concerns for patients in immobilizing devices like casts, they do not specifically highlight the unique risk associated with the anatomical changes and pressures that arise in a spica cast scenario, which is characterized by its particular positioning and immobilization effects on the abdominal region.