Fracture care, traction, and post-operative joint replacement nursing priorities and complication recognition.
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- What is an open (compound) fracture?
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A fracture where the broken bone breaks through the skin, creating a wound and infection risk.- What is a closed (simple) fracture?
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A fracture where the skin remains intact over the break.- What are the 6 P's used to assess for compartment syndrome?
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Pain, pressure, paresthesia, pallor, paralysis, pulselessness.- What is the earliest sign of compartment syndrome?
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Severe pain out of proportion to the injury, unrelieved by opioids.- Why is pulselessness a late and ominous sign of compartment syndrome?
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It indicates arterial occlusion and impending tissue necrosis.- What is the classic triad of fat embolism syndrome?
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Hypoxemia, altered mental status, and petechial rash.- Where does the petechial rash of fat embolism syndrome typically appear?
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Upper chest, axilla, and neck.- When does fat embolism syndrome typically occur after a long bone fracture?
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Within 12 to 48 hours.- What is the first nursing priority when caring for a new fracture?
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Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture site.- Why should a casted extremity be elevated above heart level?
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To reduce swelling and promote venous return.- Why should a wet plaster cast never be covered with a blanket?
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Covering traps heat and moisture, preventing proper drying.- What cast finding suggests an infection underneath?
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A foul odor or a warm, hot spot on the cast.- What is skin traction?
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Traction applied to the skin surface using a boot, belt, or foam wrap to pull on the underlying bone indirectly.- What is skeletal traction?
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Traction applied directly to the bone through a surgically inserted pin or wire.- What nursing care is essential at a skeletal traction pin site?
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Regular pin site care to monitor for and prevent infection.
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