Exam 45: Fractures

Two days after surgery for a crushed pelvis, a certified nursing assistant (CNA)reports that the patient is complaining of a shortness of breath and is demonstrating signs of confusion and restlessness.What should a nurse suspect, from these signs alone, that the patient has developed?

A fracture that occurs because of osteoporosis is classified as a(n)______ fracture.

Which is true about a greenstick fracture?

A patient with bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips is to walk with crutches using a four-point gait for 6 weeks after her bone decompression surgeries.Which statement would indicate that the patient understands this technique?

An older patient who sustained a fractured hip and femur in a motor vehicle accident is to be in Russell traction for several weeks.What should be the focus of care for the nurse?

A nurse is told that a patient has a compound comminuted fracture.What characteristic of the bone in this type of fracture causes the nurse to be concerned?

A patient who has osteomyelitis after multiple fractures inquires what the physician meant when he said that surgery would follow the antibiotic therapy.What is the nurse's most helpful reply to explain why this surgery will be performed?

Which assessment is considered abnormal when a nurse performs a neurovascular assessment on a patient in skeletal traction?

What should a nurse who is documenting and reporting the signs and symptoms of an infection underneath a cast include in the medical record?

A patient has just had a plaster of Paris upper extremity cast placed because of a fractured radius.Which statement indicates that the patient understands the discharge teaching related to cast care?

What special precaution should a nurse implement when assisting with the application of a short arm plaster cast?

Which finding should produce the most concern when performing pin care for a patient with an external fixator?

A patient who sustained a simple fracture of the left fibula 7 days earlier asks in what stage of bone healing he might be.What stage of healing should the nurse relay to the patient?

An older woman falls down at church and immediately complains of severe pain in her left hip.Which observation is recognized as the cardinal sign of a fractured hip?

A 78-year-old retired teacher with a history of osteoporosis has fallen in her bathroom and sustained a subcapital femoral fracture.She is scheduled for an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)procedure in the morning.Which type of traction will most likely be implemented?

Which characteristics are present when crutches are properly fitted? (Select all that apply.)

A patient in a full body cast (spica)complains of nausea and abdominal distention.What potential complication should a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)suspect?

What should a nurse teach an older patient with a newly casted Colles fracture?

Which patient is most appropriate for a nurse to refer to home health care?

Which assessment is of the greatest concern to a nurse when caring for a patient just admitted with a pelvic fracture?