Injuries and Surgery
A patient has come to the ambulatory care clinic with a sprain. The nurse correctly differentiates a grade 2 sprain from a grade 3 sprain with the assessment of which finding?
Minor loss of function
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused when the carpal tunnel compresses which location?
Median nerve
A patient has fallen and sprained their ankle, what should be the first action/ intervention?
Elevate the foot
RICE!
A patient tells you after a sprain, "I will keep ice on my knee for the rest of the day.”. How would you respond?
No, you should follow intermittent ice use per physician orders
Why would we discontinue an air cast, even if the patient still has pain?
Because long-term immobilization can cause permanent disability
Which major advantage is specific to external fixation devices?
Greater freedom of movement
What is the outside layer of the bone called?
Periosteum
After surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel, what patient assessment is critical?
Capillary refill time
Vitamin D is essential for preventing and treating what musculoskeletal disorder?
Osteoporosis
What is the benefit of using a wrist pad when working with a computer mouse?
Prevent developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
What are 3 key benefits of a fiberglass cast?
Lighter weight
Allowance of weight bearing after 30 minutes
Dries more quickly
This is the web-like layer of fibrous connective tissue made mostly of collagen that wraps around, supports, and separates every muscle, organ, bone, nerve, and blood vessel in your body...
Fascia
After a football injury involving femur fracture, patient complains of shortness of breath. Assessment reveals audible wheezes and oxygen saturation of 76%. What action should the nurse take first?
Raise patient to high Fowler position
What would be a key teaching point for patient with rheumatoid arthritis about an exercise program.
Perform exercises every day, 3 to 10 times for every joint
A patient suffers a compound fracture of the femur. Which immediate action is most appropriate?
Carefully splint the leg as it is
Explain what foot drop is...
The inability to lift the front part of the foot due to weakness or paralysis of the leg muscles
Aside from uric acid build-up joints, where else in the body should we be concerned?
Kidneys (calculi)
What are some key components of caring for soft-tissue injuries?
Pain control
Immobilization
Activity restrictions
Prevention of recurrence
Which instructions should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a short arm synthetic cast?
Cover the cast with a plastic bag when taking a shower.
Observe skin at the edge of the cast for irritation or injury.
Check circulation and sensation in the fingers frequently.
Move and flex the fingers to stimulate circulation.
Patient with a 90-degree elbow flexion complains of a burning sensation over the elbow. What should the nurse’s initial intervention should be?
Check to see if the cast is properly supported
A patient complains of right shoulder pain on abduction. He points with one finger to the exact location of the pain and mentions that he won a pickleball tournament yesterday. The nurse suspects the employee is suffering from which problem?
Bursitis
The rounded end or tip of a long bone is referred to as....
Epiphysis
For a patient taking a DMARD (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug), what testing should be completed prior to medications initiation?
Patients should be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before being started because these drugs may exacerbate TB
If a patient has forgotten to take her weekly bisphosphonate (alendronate [Fosamax]) that was due 2 days ago, should they take it immediately?
No, they should skip this week and pick up the schedule next week?
The hand grip of a cane should be at what level?
Hip level