Nokea
A nurse is caring for a patient who had a right below-the-knee amputation (BKA). The nurse recognizes the importance of implementing measures that focus on preventing flexion contracture of the hip and maintaining proper positioning. Which of the following measures will best achieve these goals?
- A. Encouraging the patient to turn from side to side and to assume a prone position
- B. Initiating ROM exercises of the hip and knee 10 to 12 weeks after the amputation
- C. Minimizing movement of the flexor muscles of the hip
- D. Encouraging the patient to sit in a chair for at least 8 hours a day
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse encourages the patient to turn from side to side and to assume a prone position, if possible, to stretch the flexor muscles and to prevent flexion contracture of the hip. Postoperative ROM exercises are started early, because contracture deformities develop rapidly. ROM exercises include hip and knee exercises for patients with BKAs. The nurse also discourages sitting for prolonged periods of time.
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A patient has come to the orthopedic clinic for a follow-up appointment 6 weeks after fracturing his ankle. Diagnostic imaging reveals that bone union is not taking place. What factor may have contributed to this complication?
- A. Inadequate vitamin D intake
- B. Bleeding at the injury site
- C. Inadequate immobilization
- D. Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Inadequate fracture immobilization can delay or prevent union. A short-term vitamin D deficiency would not likely prevent bone union. VTE is a serious complication but would not be a cause of nonunion. Similarly, bleeding would not likely delay union.
The surgical nurse is admitting a patient from postanesthetic recovery following the patients below-the-knee amputation. The nurse recognizes the patients high risk for postoperative hemorrhage and should keep which of the following at the bedside?
- A. A tourniquet
- B. A syringe preloaded with vitamin K
- C. A unit of packed red blood cells, placed on ice
- D. A dose of protamine sulfate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Immediate postoperative bleeding may develop slowly or may take the form of massive hemorrhage resulting from a loosened suture. A large tourniquet should be in plain sight at the patients bedside so that, if severe bleeding occurs, it can be applied to the residual limb to control the hemorrhage. PRBCs cannot be kept at the bedside. Vitamin K and protamine sulfate are antidotes to warfarin and heparin, but are not administered to treat active postsurgical bleeding.
An emergency department nurse is assessing a 17-year-old soccer player who presented with a knee injury. The patients description of the injury indicates that his knee was struck medially while his foot was on the ground. The nurse knows that the patient likely has experienced what injury?
- A. Lateral collateral ligament injury
- B. Medial collateral ligament injury
- C. Anterior cruciate ligament injury
- D. Posterior cruciate ligament injury
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When the knee is struck medially, damage may occur to the lateral collateral ligament. If the knee is struck laterally, damage may occur to the medial collateral ligament. The ACL and PCL are not typically injured in this way.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has suffered a hip fracture and who will require an extended hospital stay. The nurse should ensure that the patient does which of the following in order to prevent common complications associated with a hip fracture?
- A. Avoid requesting analgesia unless pain becomes unbearable.
- B. Use supplementary oxygen when transferring or mobilizing.
- C. Increase fluid intake and perform prescribed foot exercises.
- D. Remain on bed rest for 14 days or until instructed by the orthopedic surgeon.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is among the most common complications related to a hip fracture. To prevent DVT, the nurse encourages intake of fluids and ankle and foot exercises. The patient should not be told to endure pain; a proactive approach to pain control should be adopted. While respiratory complications commonly include atelectasis and pneumonia, the use of deep-breathing exercises, changes in position at least every 2 hours, and the use of incentive spirometry help prevent the respiratory complications more than using supplementary oxygen. Bed rest may be indicated in the short term, but is not normally required for 14 days.
A nurse admits a patient who has a fracture of the nose that has resulted in a skin tear and involvement of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. The orthopedic nurse is aware that this description likely indicates which type of fracture?
- A. Compression
- B. Compound
- C. Impacted
- D. Transverse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A compound fracture involves damage to the skin or mucous membranes and is also called an open fracture. A compression fracture involves compression of bone and is seen in vertebral fractures. An impacted fracture occurs when a bone fragment is driven into another bone fragment. A transverse fracture occurs straight across the bone shaft.