This and That
A patient has a new cast and is noted trying to scratch down in the cast; what class of medication may be prescribed for the client?
What is antipruritic?
A patient has presented to the ER with a right femoral neck fracture. What does the nurse expect to see with the right leg?
What is right leg shortening?
Fractures of the femoral neck will often shorten the fractured leg until aligned/repaired in place
Three reasons for amputation
What are traumatic events, battle-related injuries, burns, cancer, osteomyelitis, congenital limb disorder, results of DM, or PVD?
Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction
What are methods for assessing range of motion?
Disturbance in appetite, decreased peristalsis, constipation, fecal impaction, altered digestion.
What are the GI effects of immobility?
This is how often the external fixation device pins need to be cleaned.
What is daily?
A patient is post-op day 0 from an internal fixation of a fractured hip. Which position should the nurse place the patient?
What is with the affected hip in an abducted position?
A patient had a below the knee amputation and is complaining of pain the the removed limb. What is the name of this pain and how can this pain be relieved?
What is phantom pain?
Instruct the patient to move the limb which can activate the nerve which can relieve the pain.
What are common musculoskeletal variations seen in older adults?
Goals for patients with acute fractures.
What is anatomic realignment, immobilization, and restoration of function?
A patient enters the ER with a compound fracture. The bone is protruding from the skin and bleeding heavily. What is the first action the nurse should take?
What is covering the opening with a sterile dressing?
Restoration of the fracture fragments to the anatomic alignment and positioning.
What is fracture reduction?
The four main purposes of a compression bandage for patients with new amputation.
What is to support soft tissue, reduce edema, minimize pain, and promote healing?
The symptoms of this include chest pain, dyspnea, SOB, fever, hypoxemia, and often seen after a long bone fracture.
What is a fat embolism?
Name 3 interprofessional treatments for patient with acute fracture.
What are electrical bone growth stimulation, drug therapy (pain and muscle relaxant meds), vaccinations for open fractures, antibiotics, and nutritional therapy?
The symptoms of this condition are pain, unrelieved by medication, and aggravated by passive stretching.
What is Compartment Syndrome?
The purpose of skin/skeletal traction for a person with a broken hip.
What is..
to reduce muscle spasms/pain, immobilize the affected joint or body part, reduce a fracture or dislocation, or treat pathologic joint conditions?
What are frequent neurovascular (color/temp/cap refill/distal pulses/edema/sensation/motor fx/pain) and postoperative assessment (V/S, assess residual limb/dressing)?
Acute pain, loss of function, deformity, one extremity shorter, local swelling, and discoloration. What do you suspect with these assessment findings?
What is an acute fracture?
Name four goals of care for a patient with an acute fracture.
What is healing without complications, pain relief, maximum rehabilitation, planned immobilization, use of assistive devices, standard pre/post-op care, and discharge before complete healing occurs?
Skin traction such as this is a short-term treatment applied to the skin using tape, ropes/pulleys, and boots with 8-10 pounds of weight.
What is Bucks traction?
Nursing considerations for post-op care following a hip fracture repair to prevent hip dislocation.
What is...
1. Never allow the affected leg to cross the body's center
2. Never allow the body to bend more than 90 degrees (avoid bending forward to tie shoes)
3. Never allow the affected leg to turn inward
Ways to avoid flexion contractures
What is avoid the patient sitting in a chair for more than 1 hour with hips flexed or having pillows under the affected/residual limb?
Patients should lie on their abdomen for 30 minutes 3-4 times daily and position the hip in extension while prone.
List four potential complications of an acute hip fracture.
What are DVT/VTE, fat embolism, avascular necrosis, impaired comfort, coping with effects on lifestyle and independence?
Name three ways to reduce infection for a patient with an ORIF of their right hip.
What is hand hygiene, sterile dressing changes/wound care, frequent surgical site assessment, helpful patient education (s/s infection, what to do/not do, what to report)?