Final Exam Flashcards
Priority risks of amputation
infection and mobility
Acute care setting considerations for amputation
hemorrhage, molding nub to fit with prosthesis without irritating the skin the prosthetic has a sock and then it fits over
dysmelia
limb isn’t formed correctly
congenital
nontraumatic amputation
amniotic baby syndrome
piece of amniotic sac tangles and cuts off blood supply to limb and can warrant amputation (1 in 2000 babies)
compartment syndrome
accident where fluid collects in fascia so it cuts off circulation
how often should a foot exam be done
once a year
what is done if revascularization is possible
angiography
5 Ps of neurovascular assessment
pain
pallor
pulse
paresthesia
paralysis
transtibial amputation
below the knee
transhumeral amputation
above elbows
two types of prosthetic limbs
cable operated limbs
myoelectric arms
transradial prosthesis-myoelectric arms
Myoelectric arms work by sensing with electrodes when the muscles in the upper arm moves, causing an artificial hand to open or close
transradial prosthesis-cable operated limbs
attaches a harness and cable around the opposite shoulder of the damaged arm
what to test in traumatic amputation
function of residual limb
neurovascular assessment
BOTH EXTREMITIES
meds for amputees
corticosteroids
anticoags
vasodilators/constrictors
skin perfusion test for amputation healing
look at hair growth
bleeding at operative site
pedal pulse
comparing both sides
rigid or soft compression bandage
can’t fit prosthetic device if swollen
gives uniform compression
wound drainage devices can control what 2 things
hematomas
wound drainage
what to do if amputation bandage comes off
reapply
don’t call doc
post-op bandage removal for amputees
unwrap q4-6h post op then once every day
compression band for amputees
MUST BE ON AT ALL TIMES
SHAPES THE STUMP
PREVENTS EDEMA
elevate the limb
meds for phantom pain
acetaminophen and NSAIDS
BB for dull pain, anticonvulsants for stabbing pain, antidepressants
nonpharm thing for phantom pain (medical thing, not mental)
epidural perineural catheter
how to remove hematoma in amputees
use drain to get rid of fluid accumulation
neuro pain in amputees
very common
usually for above the knee amputations
changes in peripheral and CNS
non-pharm methods for amputation pain
mirror therapy
massaging
guided imagery
acupuncture
post-op monitoring for edema for amputation
measure limb q8-12h after surgery for edema
consistent pressure
amputation for osteomyelitis
usually whole limb
when should you stop wearing artificial limb
if any sweating, breakdown, or infection until body heals
catheters and amputation surgery
catheterization immediately after surgery
why is position changing important with amputation
to prevent spasms
side to side for knee amputations should be frequent
what position is best for amputations
prone
decreases hip flexion and contractures
lower limb amputations are prone to what
contractures
avoid abduction and external rotation
causes issues with prosthetic
what to use before prosthetic is applied
assistive devices
what to keep at the side of the bed after amputation to prevent hemorrhage
a tourniquet
joint contracture
caused by poor positioning
can be caused by protective flexion withdrawal pattern associated with pain and balance
Prevention is key (pain control, ROM exercises)
Avoid abduction in lower extremities (kneecap pointed toward ceiling)
Raise foot of bed to elevate limb
Lie prone with leg fully extended
contracture
Abnormal shortening of joint or muscle
how should amputee lay down
on stomach to help stretch hamstring muscle to prevent flexion contractures for proper fit of prosthetics
color and temp of amputation site
Skin flap should appear pink in a light skinned person and not discolored in a darker skinned person
The area should feel warm but not hot
Pale cool skin could indicate inadequate blood flow to the sea
Notify provider if pale and cool
when should stump be washed
every day at night to prevent damp skin from swelling and sticking to the inside of the socket
Use mild fragrance-free soap or antiseptic cleanser
Dry the skin
The sock helps keep perspiration away from the skin
A client undergoes a surgical amputation of a lower extremity after a MVA. The client’s vital signs are stable. What is a priority nursing action in the early postoperative period to help prevent complications in this client?
A. fitting the client with a prosthetic device
B. inspecting the limb stump for signs of skin breakdown
C. positioning and ROM of affected extremity
D. Teaching the client and family how to apply shrinker stockings
C
A client is recovering from an above the knee amputation resulting from PVD. Which statement indicates that the client is coping well after the procedure?
A. “my spouse will be the only person to change my dressing”
B. “I can’t believe that this has happened to me. I can’t stand to look at it”
C. “I don’t want any visitors while I’m in the hospital.”
D. “it will take me some time to get used to this”
D
A nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from an above-the-knee amputation. The client reports pain in the limb that was removed. How should the nurse respond?
A. “the pain you are feeling does not exist”
B. “this is common and will go away”
C. “”Would you like to learn how to use imagery to minimize your pain?’
D. “how you would describe the pain you are feeling?”
D
A nurse cares for an older adult client who is recovering from a leg amputation surgery. The client states, “I don’t want to live with only one leg. I should have died during the surgery.” Nurse response…
A. “your vitals are good, and you’re doing fine right now”
B. “your children are waiting outside. do u want them to grow up without a father?”
C. “This is a big change for you. what support system do you have to help you cope?”
D. “You will be able to do some of the same things as before you became disabled”
C
A nurse is caring for a client who had an above-knee amputation 2 days ago. The residual limb was wrapped with an elastic compression bandage, which has come off. The nurse immediately:
A. Calls the physician
B. Applies ice to the site
C. Rewraps the stump with an elastic compression bandage
D. Applies a dry sterile dressing and elevates it on one pillow
C
ROM in musculoskeletal injury
on unaffected side
palpate gently
check for metabolic bone disorders
kyphosis
Forward thoracic curve of the spine
Called dowagers hump
Hunchback
scoliosis
Sideways curvature of the spine
Can cause lung problems depending on severity of curve
Can wear a brace while young but need surgery when older
lordosis
Inward curve of the lumbar spine
Abdominal fat, “swayback”
Common in pregnant women
Weak back, causes fatigue
joint and bone ROM
gentle
see if they can lift their arm
do they have osteoarthritis?
noninvasive tests for testing musculoskeletal structure
DXA: most significant, done bc not detected on xray until 30-50% bone mass gone, follow ups
fluoroscopy: another type of xray, moving images
CT
MRI
invasive tests for testing musculoskeletal structure
radionuclide imaging (bone/gallium scans)
-scans entire body, inject tiotropium IV, pain but no harm
arthrocentesis (pain, rest, pressure, bandage to prevent hematoma and bleeding), injecting into the joint, analgesics given, rest 8-24h before
other scans for musculoskeletal
arthrocentesis
arthroscopy
electromyography
biopsy
arthrocentesis for musculoskeletal
Pain
Rest
Pressure
-Bandage to prevent hematoma (may put pressure on nerve endings)
-Bleeding can occur
Injecting into the joint, analgesics given
Pt must rest for 8-24 hours after testing
arthroscopy for musculoskeletal
Infection
Hematoma
Could be bleeding and be painful because it will put pressure on the nerve endings in the area
Inject a needle and aspirate blood or fluid from the joints (diagnosis)
Assesses internal structure of the joint
May also inject medication into joint (treatment)
Ex: corticosteroids, meniscus tears
Must be done in sterile technique
Neurovascular checks, the 5 P’s
Patients receive local anesthesia, patient is allowed to walk after surgery, must avoid strenuous exercises for a few days
electromyography for musculoskeletal
looking at muscle and nerve area
biopsy for musculoskeletal
for any kind of pain or complaint (swelling or suspicious)
blood tests for musculoskeletal
ANA
CRP
ESR
mineral metabolism
muscle enzymes
electrolytes
ANA for musculoskeletal blood test
to detect immunologic abnormality such as RA
CRP for musculoskeletal blood test
detects inflammation in the body
ESR for musculoskeletal blood test
looking for elevations and conditions such as RA, osteomyelitis, infection
mineral metabolism for musculoskeletal blood test
looking for breakdown of minerals (Ca+, phosphorus, uric acid, K+)
muscle enzymes for musculoskeletal blood test
muscle breakdown and weakness/pain
electrolytes for musculoskeletal blood test
Ca+, phosphorus, uric acid, K+
metabolic bone disorders
osteoporosis
paget’s disease (osteitis deformans)
remodeling for bones
removes pieces of old bone and replaces them with new, fresh bone
paget and remodeling
causes this process to shift out of balance, resulting in new bone that is abnormally shaped, weak, and brittle
osteoporosis
disruption in remodeling process
Osteoclastic (bone resorption) > osteoblastic (bone building)
Low bone mass
Loss of calcium
Bone deterioration
Porous bones → spongy
Systemic skeletal disease
WHO standard for osteoporosis
t-score from DXA
osteopenia
osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
t-score for osteoporosis
the number of standard deviation above or below the average BMD for young, healthy white women
osteopenia for osteoporosis
T-score is between 1 and 2.5 SD below normal
Precursor to osteoporosis
Can be corrected with certain meds (bisphosphonates) to help with bone building to prevent osteoporosis
osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
BMD T-score of more than 2.5 SD below normal
-2.5 or below
Mostly seen in here bc it’s so low
bone density peak
10-35
why do postmenopausal women have high risk for osteoporosis
low estrogen=body needs calcium and takes it from bones
bone fragility
HIP FRACTURES
osteoporosis risk factors
female (thinner and decrease in estrogen)
postmenopause
breastfeeding
ethnicity (caucasian and asian)
family hx
sedentary lifestyle, alcohol, smoking
calcium and vit d deficiency
med conditions (malabsorption, liver, hyperparathyroid, thyrotoxicosis)
meds (thyroid, corticosteroids, furosemide, anticonvulsants)
med management of osteoporosis
prevention of loss of bone mass
increase Ca and vit d intake, exercise, and reduce alcohol and stop tobacco
prevent bone reabsorption (HRT estrogen be aware of SE)
patient education of osteoporosis
dairy, calcium supplements (w food), calcium fortified foods
green veggies, sardines, salmon w bone, broccoli, milk, OJ with calcium, almonds
avoid high protein, sodium, and caffeine
perform weight bearing exercise (not cycling or swimming)
diphosphonates (boniva upright for 1 hr, fosamax upright for 30 mins, empty stomach, first thing in morning with 8oz water to prevent esophagitis)
paget’s disease
Metabolic disorder of bone remodeling
Insidious onset
Increase in osteoclastic activity
Weak
Large
Disorganized
Asymptomatic
Increased rate of bone tissue breakdown and osteoclastic activity, then a rapid bone formation
Bone is weak, large, and disorganized
Abnormal bone architecture
2nd most common bone disease after osteoporosis
Affects skull, long bones, spine, and ribs (enlarged and deformed)
Symptoms depend on which bones affected
fatal after 40
etiology and manifestations of paget’s
Unknown etiology
Virus
Heredity
Normal bone marrow replaced by vascular, fibrous connective tissue (causes bone pain, arthritis)
Bone pain
Nerve compression (Puts pressure on nerves because bones are enlarged)
Painful Deformities
Arthritis (Damage to joint and cartilage)
Changes in skin temperature
Pathologic fracture
med treatment for paget’s
pain control with NSAIDS or COX-2 inhibitors
diphosphonates (fosamax)
calcitonin
surgical joint replacement
pain management of paget’s
Applying heat, gentle massage, giving pain medications
Need an order for cold or heat therapy
osteoarthritis
Slowly progressive chronic joint disease
degeneration and loss of articular cartilage covering joint surfaces in synovial joints
Bones are going to grate against each other
Symptoms: pain/cramping, immobility of area, loose bone fragments in X-rays, crepitus
Seen in weight-bearing joints like knees, hips, back
Most common form of arthritis
risk factors of osteoarthritis
age (middle to older adults)
obesity (arthritis of the knee)
sports/work injuries
genetics (defective cartilage or a defective joint)
clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis
early morning stiffness
dull pain worse by the end of the day (rest!)
crepitus (sound of rough joints rubbing and breakage of bone)
deficits in ROM
joint enlargement
Heberden’s nodes in osteoarthritis
raised bony growths over DISTAL interphalangeal joints
bouchard’s nodes
raised bony growths over PROXIMAL interphalangeal joints
aleve for pain
don’t take large doses
take with food or milk (can lead to ulcers)
alternative therapy for musculoskeletal injury
glucosamine chondroitin
arthroplasty
Total Hip Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Replaced with prosthesis (metal or plastic)
Eliminates pain, improves quality of life
Contraindicated by recent active infection or arterial impairment to extremities (PVD), unable to follow post-op regimen, cardiac problems
postop goals for musculoskeletal injury
Prevent deformity and contractures of knee, foot, and hip
Restore weight-bearing (ambulation or assistive devices)
Pain relief
Prevent complications
Maintain optimal physiologic function
complications of musculoskeletal surgery
DVT (most common)
Pneumonia
Skin breakdown
Sepsis
Delirium from long surgery and anesthesia
Dislocation
Infection
Immobility
Compartment syndrome
preventing DVTs after musculoskeletal injury
anticoags (fixed dose SC hep or warfarin)
SCDs
thigh high compression stockings (top is loose)
leg exercises (pROM)
monitor vitals and ROM on both sides
avoid knee gatch (cuts off circulation)
don’t massage legs
postop teaching for musculoskeletal injury
continuous passive motion (8h/day to prevent stiff joints, need opioids)
teach s/s of infection (foreign object in body, give abx)
s/s of DVT
PT
total hip replacement precautions
total hip replacement precautions
90 degree flexion for 4-6 weeks
high chair with arms
abduction pillow (don’t adduct, wedge device between knees)
elevated toilet seats
NO INTERNAL ROTATION ANYWHERE
don’t cross legs
don’t twist to reach for objects (use reachers or sock pullers)
don’t drive
no baths for 4-6 weeks