The teenager with a fiberglass cast asks the nurse if it will be okay to allow his friends to autograph his cast. Which response would be best?
A. “It will be alright for your friends to autograph the cast.”
B. “Because the cast is made of plaster, autographing can weaken the cast.”
C. “If they don’t use chalk to autograph, it is okay.”
D. “Autographing or writing on the cast in any form will harm the cast.”
Correct Answer: A. “It will be alright for your friends to autograph the cast.”
There is no reason that the client’s friends should not be allowed to autograph the cast; it will not harm the cast in any way, so answers B, C, and D are incorrect. Fiberglass has several advantages compared to plaster. It weighs less, so the cast made from it will be lighter. More durable and porous, fiberglass allows air to flow in and out. Fiberglass is the better choice in case the limb must be X-rayed during the healing process. It is also available in a variety of colors.
Option B: Plaster costs less than fiberglass and is more malleable (is more easily shaped) than fiberglass in certain cases. Plaster comes in strips or rolls that are moistened and rolled on over the padding. Plaster materials are made from dry muslin that is treated with starch or dextrose and calcium sulfate.
Option C: Keep the cast clean and dry. A hair dryer with a cool setting may be used to dry a fiberglass cast if it becomes damp. Call a doctor if the cast does not dry or if the skin under the cast becomes wet. Avoid placing pressure or weight on the cast. If you have a leg injury and have a walking cast, make sure that the cast has hardened completely before you attempt to walk on it.
Option D: Like plaster, fiberglass materials come in rolls. Strips are moistened and applied to form the cast. The cast will appear rough after it has dried. Do not place any objects inside the cast. Avoid using lotions or powders on skin underneath the cast.