Hip Fracture And Replacement

Question 1

Prior to surgery, the health care provider chooses to place Mrs. Damerae’s right leg in Buck’s extension (traction). What is Buck’s traction?

Answer 1

Buck’s traction is a type of skin traction for short term use

Question 2

Why is Buck’s traction used before surgery?

Answer 2

Traction is used to immobilize a joint and help realign the extremity.

Question 3

Mrs. Damerae is a 77-year-old woman who was transported to the emergency department following a fall onto her right hip on a snowy morning. “I just wanted to check the mail. I was making my way down my front walk slowly. I had my good boots on. But there must have been ice under the snow, and I slipped. It all happened so fast. I was up, then I was down, and now here I am.”

Past Medical History: Diabetes type 2, Parkinson’s disease, Hypertension, CAD with cardiac stent placement three years ago.

Which components of Mrs. Damerae’s past medical history could have played a role in her injury?

Answer 3

Postural Instability
Shuffling gait
Peripheral neuropathy

Question 4

The nurse is taking care of the client after surgery. Explain how the nurse should move Mrs. Damerae in order to position her safely on her side to wash her back during a bed bath?

Answer 4

Log roll patient to unaffected side
Place abductor wedge between her legs

Question 5

The nurse is performing a neurovascular assessment on the patient. Which of the following should be included?

Answer 5

Color of extremity
Distal pulses
Capillary refill

Question 6

Mrs. Damerae is being discharged. Which of the following should be included in discharge instructions for this patient to identify possible complications a hip fracture that require the patient to return to the hospital?

Answer 6

Sudden intense pain
One leg shorter than the other
External rotation of affected leg.