Patho
What clients are at risk for acute compartment syndrome?
Patients with:
Fractures
Crush injuries
Extensive soft tissue trauma
What diagnostic tests are used to diagnose fractures?
X-ray
CT
MRI
What is a treatment used in acute compartment syndrome?
Fasciotomy; incisions made into the connective tissue surrounding the compartment to release built up pressure
What is colchicine?
Used for acute gout attacks, reduces uric acid levels
The lubricating fluid found between synovial joints.
What is synovial fluid?
What is gout?
Inflammatory response to excessive uric acid in the blood; causes arthritis and urate deposits under the skin
What assessment finds are common in gout?
What is included in hip precautions, after a total hip arthroplasty?
What is allopurinol?
Used in prevention of gout, inhibits uric acid production lowering levels in the blood and urine
A type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints, usually as flares that last for one or two weeks and then resolves
What is gout?
What are some risk factors for fractures?
Osteoporosis
Advanced age
Trauma
Cushing's disease
What are signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Describe some dietary recommendations appropriate for a patient with gout
Avoiding triggering foods such as red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and alcohol
Low purine diet to reduce uric acid buildup
What is alendronate, and what is an important nursing considering when administering it?
Suppresses bone reabsorption, used in treatment of osteoporosis.
Should be taken on an empty stomach, and pt should remain upright for 30 minutes after taking to prevent esophageal irritation
Increased pressure within a muscle compartment, resulting in reduced blood flow to the tissues within that compartment.
What is acute compartment syndrome?
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a chronic deterioration of joint cartilage, bone, and other tissues in one of more joints
What are some assessment findings indicating osteoporosis?
Loss of height
Kyphosis
Reduced bone density (seen on DEXA scan)
Hip, wrist, or other fractures from minor trauma
What are some modifiable risk factors concerning osteoporosis?
Calcium and Vitamin D intake
Smoking cessation
Weight bearing exercise
Avoidance of alcohol
What medications are typically used in management of osteoarthritis?
NSAIDs
Acetaminophen
A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone changes.
What is osteoarthritis?
Why would an elective amputation be performed?
Severe infection
Tumors
Vascular disease that compromises blood flow
Useful in preventing sepsis and metastasis
What are the warning signs of Acute Compartment Syndrome?
Six P's
Pain
Paresthesia (loss of sensation)
Poikilothermia (cool skin)
Pallor (pale skin)
Pulselessness (decreased or absent pulses distal to injury)
Paralysis
What are some non-surgical, non-pharmacological measures to manage osteoarthritis?
Rest balanced with exercise
Heat or cold application
Weight control
Structured exercise program
What medications are commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis?
NSAIDs
Acetaminophen
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressants (methotrexate)
An infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue.