Fracture Fundamentals
The skin remains intact, and the fractured bone does not communicate with the external environment.
What is a closed fracture?
This first stage of bone healing begins with bleeding and clot formation at the fracture site.
What is hematoma formation?
The nurse uses this part of the hand to support a wet plaster cast and prevent indentations.
What are the palms?
This early manifestation of compartment syndrome is severe, greater than expected, and worsens with passive movement.
What is pain?
This fracture occurs between the greater and lesser trochanters and accounts for most extracapsular hip fractures.
What is an intertrochanteric fracture?
The bone breaks into several fragments.
What is a comminuted fracture?
During this stage, collagen and cartilage begin bridging the fractured bone.
What is soft callus formation?
The nurse performs this intervention during the first 24 to 48 hours after cast application to reduce swelling.
What is elevating the casted extremity above heart level?
Pain, paresthesia, pallor, paralysis, and pulselessness are collectively known by this name
What are the five P’s of compartment syndrome?
This diagnostic test best demonstrates soft-tissue damage associated with knee and rotator cuff injuries.
What is magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI?
This incomplete fracture commonly occurs in children because their bones are more flexible.
What is a greenstick fracture?
During bone remodeling, these cells remove excess bone.
What are osteoclasts?
This simple assessment helps confirm that a cast is not too tight.
What is being able to insert one finger between the skin and the cast?
This emergency surgical procedure relieves pressure inside a muscle compartment.
What is a fasciotomy?
This workplace intervention can reduce repetitive wrist stress and help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is an ergonomically appropriate workstation?
When splinting a fracture, the nurse immobilizes these areas to prevent additional injury.
What are the joints above and below the fracture?
This disorder occurs when reduced blood flow causes bone-cell death, microfractures, and eventual bone collapse.
What is avascular necrosis?
These traction components must hang freely and should never rest on the bed or floor.
What are the weights?
Sudden hypoxemia, neurologic changes, and a petechial rash following a long-bone fracture indicate this complication.
What is fat embolism syndrome?
The nurse uses this wrapping pattern to shape a residual limb without creating a tourniquet effect.
What is figure-eight wrapping?
A client’s fractured ankle is pale and cool, and the pulse cannot be palpated. The nurse should use this device to determine whether a pulse is present.
What is a Doppler device?
Long-term corticosteroid therapy and heavy alcohol use increase the risk for this bone disorder.
What is avascular necrosis?
This is the recommended neurovascular assessment schedule when a client begins traction.
What is every hour for the first 24 hours and every four hours afterward?
Following a major crush injury, myoglobin released from damaged muscles places this organ at risk for failure.
What are the kidneys?
Following cast removal, the client may wear this garment to decrease ankle swelling while gradually increasing activity.
What is a support stocking?