Assessment
Important assessment before moving a patient
What is their ability to assist?
This type of therapy should be used within the first 24-48 hours of an injury to reduce swelling.
What is cold therapy (ice)?
Adequate intake of this mineral is essential for preventing osteoporosis.
What is calcium?
The presence of joint space narrowing and osteophytes on this diagnostic test confirms OA.
What is an X-ray?
After orthopedic surgery, patients are encouraged to use this device to prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
What is an incentive spirometer?
The nurse assesses this common symptom in a patient with osteoarthritis, which often worsens later in the day after prolonged activity.
What is joint pain and stiffness?
This type of therapy helps increase blood flow and relax muscles, making it useful for patients with chronic pain such as osteoarthritis.
What is heat therapy? (warm compress)
Osteoporotic fractures of this bone are particularly dangerous for older adults due to complications like immobility and blood clots.
What is the hip?
Low-impact activities like swimming and this other form of exercise help improve joint mobility in OA.
What is walking?
This concept applies ergonomics to patient care by using proper body mechanics and assistive devices to reduce nurse injuries.
What is safe patient handling?
2 assessment findings that are specific to fractures that you might see during an assessment of a fracture
Shortening of limb, crepitus, deformity, loss of function
This medication is a low-molecular-weight heparin used to prevent this post-surgical complication.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Two non-modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis
family history, women, Asian, Caucasian, age (post menopausal), small body frame
This class of medications, including ibuprofen and naproxen, is commonly used to relieve pain and inflammation in OA.
What are NSAIDs?
A patient on enoxaparin should avoid these types of medications due to an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)?
Patients with casts should be instructed to monitor for this sign of impaired circulation.
What is numbness or tingling?
To prevent further injury and reduce pain after a fracture, you must do this to the affected joint above and below the injury.
What is immobilize the joint?
Two weight-bearing exercises to help strengthen bones.
What are walking and weightlifting
Two major modifiable risk factors for OA
What are obesity and repeated joint stress.
2 complications of immobility
atelectasis, pneumonia, DVT, depression (loss of function/social interaction), pressure ulcers, urinary stasis (renal calculi), joint mobility, contractures
In addition to physical assessment, state 2 other important assessments for a patient with an amputee
Psychological status (grief/coping), concurrent health problems, nutrition status
This acronym describes the immediate treatment of soft tissue injuries.
What is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)?
Patients with osteoporosis should remove these common home hazards to prevent fractures.
What are throw rugs?
This procedure, commonly performed on the knee or hip, replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one.
What is a total joint replacement (arthroplasty)?
2 factors that can affect fracture healing
Inadequate immobilization, inadequate blood supply to fracture, infection, malignancy, some medications (corticosteroids), older age, comorbidities (diabetes)