FRACTURES Flashcards
Understand cast care and compartment syndrome.
How can fractures be classifed?
4 ways
Open / closed
Complete / incomplete
Displaced / non-displaced
The direction of the fracture line
What is ecchymosis?
fracture manifestation
Appearance of bruising; from the pooling of blood under the skin.
What is crepitation?
fracture manifestation
Crunching or grinding sound under the skin.
What is the main goal for a patient with a fracture?
long term
Restore normal function!
Promote healing process to achieve this.
Differentiate the DO’s & DONT’s for cast care vs. compartment syndrome?
two main ones
Cast Care: DO apply ice & elevate extremity above the heart.
Compartment syndrome: DO NOT apply ice & elevate extremity above the heart.
Level with the heart is recommended, NOT above.
In a neurovascular assessment, what are you assessing for?
How?
Comparing both extremities …
Vascular: colour, temp, cap refill, pulses, edema
Neurological: sensation, movement, pain
What do the 6Ps indcate?
List them.
could be 7 Ps also
Any or all are a sign of compartment syndrome.
* Pain (unrelieved)
* Pallor / poikempthermia (pale & cool skin)
* Paresthesia (numbness / tingling)
* Pulselessness
* Paralysis
* Pressure rising
What is compartment syndrome?
When pressure in the extremity increases, restricting blood flow.
Damages muscles and nerves.
Why is it important to monitor renal function with compartment syndrome?
As the muscle breaks down from lack of blood supply, myoglobin is released.
As it is filtered through the kidneys, it can block the renal tubule causing AKI / renal failure.
Monitor urine output, BUN, creatinine, GFR
With compartment syndrome…
If blood flow does not return to the extremity on its own, what should the nurse prepare for?
What is the main treatment for compartment syndrome?
A faciotomy.
A cut is made down to the facia to relieve the pressure.
What should you always have at the bedside of a recent amputee?
A tourniquet.
