Nokea
A client has sustained a left femur fracture in a skiing accident. When is the nurse aware that the complication of a fat emboli typically occurs and should be monitored for closely?
- A. The first hour after fracture of the long bone
- B. 8 to 12 hours
- C. 12 to 24 hours
- D. 48 to 72 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client should be monitored for symptoms of a fat embolism, which typically occurs within 48 to 72 hours.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client sustains a fractured right humerus in an automobile accident. The arm is edematous, the client reports not being able to feel or move the fingers, and the nurse does not feel a pulse. What condition should the nurse be concerned about that requires emergency measures?
- A. Compartment syndrome
- B. Dislocation
- C. Muscle spasms
- D. Subluxation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Separation of adjacent bones from their articulating joint interferes with normal use and produces a distorted appearance. The injury may disrupt local blood supply to structures such as the joint cartilage, causing degeneration, chronic pain, and restricted movement. Compartment syndrome is a condition in which a structure such as a tendon or nerve is constricted in a confined space. The fractured humerus may also be dislocated but is not the result of the impaired circulatory status. Muscle spasms may occur around the fracture site but are not the cause of circulatory impairment. Subluxation is a partial dislocation.
A client with a fracture develops compartment syndrome that requires surgical intervention. What treatment will the nurse most likely prepare the client for?
- A. Bone graft
- B. Joint replacement
- C. Fasciotomy
- D. Amputation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Surgical treatment of compartment syndrome is achieved with a fasciotomy, a surgical incision of the fascia and separation of the muscle to relieve pressure and restore tissue perfusion. Bone graft, joint replacement or amputation may be done for a client who experiences avascular necrosis.
A client has a history of dislocations of the same joint. The nurse understands that this is most likely due to an insufficient deposit of collagen during the healing process leading to what complication?
- A. Loss of function
- B. Allergic reaction
- C. Lack of mobility
- D. Reduced tensile strength
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A possible complication of dislocation during the healing process involves an insufficient deposit of collagen during the repair stage. The end result is that the ligaments may have reduced tensile strength and future instability, leading to recurrent dislocations of the same joint. An insufficient deposit of collagen does not lead to a loss of function necessarily, allergic reaction, or a complete lack of mobility.
A client arrives at the orthopedic clinic and reports suspecting a stress fracture of the right foot. The physician orders an x-ray with negative results. What does the nurse understand that these negative results can mean?
- A. The client does not have a stress fracture
- B. The client probably has a strain
- C. The stress fracture may not be seen on x-ray for a few weeks.
- D. The physician may have misread the x-ray.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A stress fracture may not be apparent radiographically for a few weeks. A bone scan usually can identify a nondisplaced or stress fracture earlier than an x-ray.
A client is admitted to the emergency department after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle. The client sustained a fracture of the left femur, and the bone is protruding through the skin. What type of fracture does the nurse recognize requires emergency intervention?
- A. Compound
- B. Greenstick
- C. Oblique
- D. Spiral
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A compound fracture is a fracture in which damage also involves the skin or mucous membranes with the risk of infection great. A greenstick fracture is where one side of the bone is broken and the other side is bent; it does not protrude through the skin. An oblique fracture occurs at an angle across the bone but does not protrude through the skin. A spiral fracture twists around the shaft of the bone but does not protrude through the skin.