Cast

• Cast Material

  Fiberglass - Synthetic cast
• Cast Material

  Fiberglass - Lighter in weight; costly
• Cast Material

  Fiberglass - Stronger and more durable; water resistant
• Cast Material

  Fiberglass - Dries completely within 10 to 15 minutes; can bear weight within 30 minutes
• Cast Material

  Plaster of Paris - Rolls of crinoline with powdered anhydrous calcium sulfate (gypsum crystals) mixed with water swells and forms into a hard cement
• Cast Material

  Plaster of Paris - Traditional; less costly
• Cast Material

  Plaster of Paris - Achieve a better mold not as durable and take longer to dry
• Cast Material

  Plaster of Paris - Dries within 24 to 72 hours or longer especially larger casts
• Care of Client with Cast

  Carry the newly - casted body part with palms of the hand to prevent indentation and pressure
• Care of Client with Cast

  Elevate the body part with pillow support to prevent edema
• Care of Client with Cast

  Expose the cast to dry
• Care of Client with Cast

  Dry cast appears white, shiny, hard and resonant
• Care of Client with Cast

  Sensation of heat as the cast is drying is NORMAL
• Care of Client with Cast

  DO NOT cover the cast with a blanket or towel while it is drying as the retained heat can burn the client
• Care of Client with Cast

  Observe "hot spots". & musty odor, or drainage from the cast as they may indicate infection
• Care of Client with Cast

  Maintain skin integrity - by "petalling" (applying adhesive tapes at the edges of the cast to smoothen the areas)
• Cast syndrome may occur if the client has body cast; s/sx of bloated feeling, prolonged nausea, repeated vomiting, abdominal distention, vague abdominal pain, shortness of breath.
• Care of Client with Cast

  Bivalving - is done for wound care or X-rays; done when the cast is too tight or when healing process has occurred; involves splitting of the cast
• Care of Client with Cast

  Windowing - facilitate observation under the cast; to assess pulse or to prevent "cast syndrome"; involves removal of a part of the cast
• Cast Neurovascular Check 

  • Distal vs Proximal: Distal
  • CMS:  Circulation, Motion, Sensation
  • FIRST sign: Pain
  • Skin color: Pallor, Cyanosis
  • Skin temperature: Cold skin
  • Sensation: numbness, tingling
  • Mobility: Inability to move the body part
  • Pulse: Absence of pulse.