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A client with metastatic bone cancer sustained a left hip fracture without injury. What type of fracture does the nurse understand occurs without trauma or fall?
- A. Impacted fracture
- B. Transverse fracture
- C. Compound fracture
- D. Pathologic fracture
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A pathologic fracture is a fracture that occurs through an area of diseased bone and can occur without trauma or a fall. An impacted fracture is a fracture in which a bone fragment is driven into another bone fragment. A transverse fracture is a fracture straight across the bone. A compound fracture is a fracture in which damage also involves the skin or mucous membranes.
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The nurse is caring for a client with a fracture. Which assessment would take priority?
- A. Neurovascular compromise
- B. Hormonal imbalances
- C. Cardiac problems
- D. Altered kidney function
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When caring for a client with a fracture, the nurse assesses for the neurovascular compromise. A fracture or a treatment for fracture is not known to lead to hormonal imbalances, cardiac problems, or an altered kidney function.
A client is a passenger in a vehicle that was hit in the rear by another vehicle. The client is complaining of pain in the neck from the head rapidly moving toward and then back against the headrest. What type of injury does the nurse suspect the client sustained in the accident?
- A. Strain
- B. Avulsion fracture
- C. Whiplash injury
- D. Contusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sprain of the cervical spine is commonly called a whiplash injury and results from sudden, unusual movement or stretching around a joint, which is common with falls or other accidental injuries. A strain results from excessive stress, overuse, or overstretching. An avulsion fracture is when the ligament is torn or ruptured completely, with possible detachment of a fragment to bone. In a contusion, the injury is confined to the soft tissues and does not affect the musculoskeletal structure.
A client comes to the emergency department and it is found that the client's radial head is partially dislocated. What is this partially dislocated radial head documented as?
- A. Volkmann's contracture
- B. Subluxation
- C. Compartment syndrome
- D. Sprain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A partial dislocation is referred to as a subluxation. A Volkmann contracture is a claw-like deformity that results from compartment syndrome or obstructed arterial blood flow to the forearm and hand. Compartment syndrome is a condition in which a structure such as a tendon or nerve is constricted in a confined space and affects nerve innervation, leading to subsequent palsy. A sprain is injury to the ligaments surrounding the joint.
A client comes to the clinic 2 days after sustaining a sprain to the left ankle. What intervention can the nurse encourage the client to perform that will help improve circulation?
- A. Active range-of-motion exercises
- B. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- C. Applying cold compresses
- D. Applying heat
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After 2 days, when swelling is no longer likely to increase, applying heat reduces pain and relieves local edema by improving circulation. Full use of the injured joint is discouraged temporarily. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will ease discomfort but not improve circulation. Applying cold compresses is only used in the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
A client comes to the orthopedic clinic and reports having pain that radiates down the forearm and being unable to grasp objects firmly. What does the nurse suspect is occurring with the client?
- A. Carpal tunnel syndrome
- B. Ganglion cyst
- C. Epicondylitis
- D. Shoulder dislocation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a painful inflammation of the elbow that is caused by injury following excessive pronation and supination of the forearm, such as that which occurs when playing tennis, pitching a ball, or rowing. Client reports pain radiating down the dorsal surface of the forearm and a weak grasp. Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve and affects the hand with burning. Pain is more prominent in the early morning or at night. The pain of a ganglion cyst is more localized in the area of the cyst. The symptoms the client describes do not correlate with a diagnosis of shoulder dislocation.