Fractures Flashcards
Closed or simple
Skin remains intact
Complete
Complete separation into two parts
Compression
Bone is compressed by other bone
Incomplete
Fracture line does not go through the whole bone
open or compound
Exposed to air through a break in the skin
Soft tissue injury or infection
Splint extremity and cover with a sterile dressing
Transverse
Fractured straight across
Reduction
Bone is restored to proper alignment
Internal fixation
Immediate bone stabilization Holds the bone in alignment After an open reduction Infection risk Permits early mobility
External fixation
Skeletal pins are attached to an external support
More freedom of motion
After massive tissue trauma
Infection risk
Traction
pulling force applied in two directions
reduces and immobilizes a fracture
proper bone alignment and reduction of muscle spasms
Cannot remove or lift weights without a PCP’s prescription
Place knots to prevent slipping
Skeletal traction
Pins, wires, tongs
25 to 40 lb
Monitor color, motion, sensation
Skin traction
Elastic bandages, adhesive, foam boot or sling
Cervical skin traction
Relief of muscle spasms and compression in upper extremities or neck
Use powder
30 to 40 degrees
Buck’s
For muscle spasms and lower limb immobilization
Straight pull on limb
No more than 8 to 10 lbs of weight
Elevate HOB
Pelvic skin traction
Low back, hip, or leg pain.
Reduce muscle spasm.
Keep client from slipping down in bed.
Put belt over pelvis and iliac crest.
Balanced suspension traction
Used with skeletal or skin traction
Femur, tibia, fibula
Low-Fowler’s on either side or back
20-degree angle from thigh to bed
Clean pin sites with…
sterile normal saline and hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine
Keep casts…
elevated.