Which cast condition requires immediate nursing assessment?

• A. Damp fiberglass cast after 4 hours
• B. Cast is loose but comfortable
• C. Cast shows dry edges
• D. Cast remains warm and dry

Answer: (A)

Moisture inside a cast is a red flag that calls for urgent evaluation. A fiberglass cast that is still damp after about 4 hours means the material isn’t drying properly and moisture is pressed against the skin. This can lead to skin maceration, irritation, and potential infection, and it can also affect the cast’s fit and the immobilization it’s supposed to provide. The nurse should assess the skin under the cast, check for signs of irritation, numbness, increased pain, odor, or drainage, and take steps to dry the cast and protect the skin, possibly adjusting or replacing the cast if needed.

A cast that is loose but comfortable, a cast with dry edges, or a cast that remains warm and dry do not indicate an immediate emergency. They require monitoring, but the pressing priority is addressing a damp cast to prevent complications.