PN Adult Medical Surgical 2023 Related

Review PN Adult Medical Surgical 2023 related questions and content

VITAL SIGNS
Day 1:
TEMPERATURE 36° C (96.8° F)
BLOOD PRESSURE 140/80 mm Hg
HEART RATE 98/min
RESPIRATORY RATE 24/min
OXYGEN SATURATION 97% on room air
Day 2, 0800:
TEMPERATURE 37° C (98.6° F)
BLOOD PRESSURE 122/60 mm Hg
HEART RATE 85/min
RESPIRATORY RATE 18/min
OXYGEN SATURATION 98% on room air
Day 2, 1600:
Findings
• Dyspnea
• Tingling sensation to right foot
• Increased pain at incision site
• Swelling at incision site
Acute compartment syndrome
• Dyspnea
• Tingling sensation to right foot
• Increased pain at incision site
• Swelling at incision site
Infection
• Dyspnea
• Tingling sensation to right foot
• Increased pain at incision site
• Swelling at incision site
Fat embolism syndrome
• Dyspnea
• Tingling sensation to right foot
• Increased pain at incision site
• Swelling at incision site

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is postoperative following an open reduction internal fixation of the right tibia. Which finding is consistent with acute compartment syndrome?

  • A. Dyspnea
  • B. Tingling sensation to right foot
  • C. Increased pain at incision site
  • D. Swelling at incision site
Correct Answer: A, C

Rationale: Acute compartment syndrome post-ORIF arises from pressure buildup in muscle compartments, impairing perfusion. Increased pain at the incision site severe, unrelieved by analgesics, and disproportionate to the procedure is a hallmark, reflecting nerve and tissue ischemia. Dyspnea suggests fat embolism syndrome, a separate complication from marrow release, not compartment pressure. Tingling indicates nerve compression, a later sign, but pain precedes it in the 6 Ps (pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, paralysis, poikilothermia). Swelling occurs, but pain's intensity and persistence distinguish compartment syndrome from normal postoperative edema. Early recognition of escalating pain prompts fasciotomy, preventing necrosis, making it the most consistent finding per orthopedic emergency protocols.