Procedures
Done to remove fluid from a joint for analysis.
Arthrocentesis
Partial or complete tearing of a ligament
Sprain
What does RICE stand for?
Rest, ice, compression, elevation.
Shortening of skeletal muscle tissue causing deformity
Contractures
Name at least 3 high purine foods you would instruct your patient with gout to avoid.
Anchovies, sardines, sweetbreads, liver, red meats, kidneys, meat extracts
Done to detect abnormal nerve transmission to muscle
Electromyelography (EMG)
Bacterial infection of the bone.
Osteomyelitis
Surgical intervention to relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels
Fasciotomy
Your patient is diagnosed with a femur fracture, name 4 symptoms that would alert you to the possibility of a fat embolism
change in LOC, respiratory distress, tachycardia, fever, petechia
S/p a total hip replacement, the patient will have movement restrictions to prevent dislocation -- name all three.
no flexion past 90 degrees, no internal rotation, no adduction of the affected leg
Test used to measure bone density
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Pulling or tearing of a muscle, a tendon, or both.
Strain
What is an arthroplasty?
Joint replacement
Name the 6 P's to monitor for in patients with orthopedic injuries
Pain, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness, paralysis, & poikilothermia
Your patient has a musculoskeletal injury, how will you evaluate their neurovascular status (name at least 5 ways)
Skin color, skin temperature, pulses distal to the injury, movement, sensation, pain, capillary refill.
Elevation of this serum lab test may indicate Paget disease or bone metastasis
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in synovial joints - "wear and tear"
Osteoarthritis
Medications used to prevent further gout attacks
allopurinol (Zyloprim) or probenecid (Benemid)
Name at least 3 symptoms of osteomyelitis you would monitor for in your patient with an open fracture
Sudden severe pain, tenderness, high fever, chills, swelling, headache, malaise.
How must the weights of a patient in traction be maintained?
They must hang free to maintain traction in the extremity
Normal serum calcium level (mg/dL)
8.4 - 10.6 mg/dL
Restriction of blood flow to an extremity -- caused by internal (i.e. swelling) or external pressure (i.e. tight cast)
Compartment syndrome
Length of time antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat osteomyelitis
4 to 6 weeks
To prevent damage to the surrounding soft tissues, blood vessels and nerves, emergency care of a patient with a fracture involves _____________.
Immobilization -- "splint it as it lies"
How will you handle a damp cast? Why?
With the palms of the hands or the flat surface of extended fingers -- NO FINGERTIPS! -- Do not want to cause indents which can lead pressure on the skin