Key Terms

Question 1

Simple Fracture

Answer 1

Closed fracture that is contained within the skin

Question 2

Compound fracture

Answer 2

An open fracture is a disruption in which pieces of bone protrude through the skin, creating an external wound that exposes the fracture site.

Question 3

Open fracture: grade 1

Answer 3

Presence of puncture wound, minimal injury to the soft tissues, and vasculature remains intact

Question 4

Open fracture: grade 2

Answer 4

Puncture wound, fragments of broken bone, moderate muscle and skin contusions, and significant wound contamination

Question 5

Open fracture: grade 3

Answer 5

Severe damage to soft tissues, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. The open fracture site is considered extremely contaminated and contains numerous comminuted (broken into more than 2 pieces) fractures.

Question 6

Osteomyelitis

Answer 6

A result of infectious spread from another area of the body via bloodstream.

Question 7

Acute infection

Answer 7

Less than 2 weeks

Question 8

Subacute infection

Answer 8

2 weeks to 3 months

Question 9

Chronic infection

Answer 9

Lasting longer than 3 months

Question 10

Never events

Answer 10

Serious, preventable, and costly medical errors or adverse events that should never happen to a patient

Question 11

Time out

Answer 11

“Pause for a cause”; A formal process of identification performed by the patient and the healthcare team to identify the correct patient, correct procedure, and correct surgical site

Question 12

Malignant hyperthermia

Answer 12

A hyper-metabolic state that can be caused by exposure to a triggering agent (volatile gas anesthetic and/or succinylcholine) which causes sustained muscular contractions related to an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration. A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!

Question 13

Malignant hyperthermia S/S

Answer 13

Acidosis, tachycardia, hypercarbia, glycolysis, hypoxemia, hyperglobinuria (brown urine), hyperthermia, and skeletal muscle rigidity

Question 14

Crepitus

Answer 14

Occurs when air is trapped under the skin and is a crackling feeling. Can be caused by pneumothorax or trauma to the chest.

Question 15

Heberden’s nodes

Answer 15

Bony swellings that occur on the distal interphalangeal joint, the joint furthest from the palm closest to the fingernail

Question 16

Bouchard’s nodes

Answer 16

The nodes on the proximal interphalangeal joints, closer to the palm, in the middle of the finger

Question 17

Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes

Answer 17

Manifestation of osteoarthritis. S/S include pain and stiffness.

Question 18

Osteophytes

Answer 18

Projections of new cartilage and bone growth that form along joint lines, contributing pain in the joint and decreased ROM.

Question 19

Abduction pillow

Answer 19

Used to support and restrict movement of the hip joint during recovery from hip surgery

Question 20

Closed reduction

Answer 20

The fractured bone segments are manually manipulated and realigned while the patient is under general anesthesia. A cast or splint is then applied after the procedure.

Question 21

Compartment syndrome

Answer 21

After a circumferential burn, fluid seeps from the intravascular space into the interstitial and pressure within the tissues continues to rise and confines swelling inside muscle compartments. S/S: progressive diminishing of the pulse, numbness, tingling, and c/o pain with flexion and/or extension. MEDICAL EMERGENCY!

Question 22

Dislocation

Answer 22

Displaced bones which compress the nerves and vessels which can lead to neurovascular compromise

Question 23

Fat emboli

Answer 23

Frequently manifest in long bone fractures where particles of the exposed fatty bone marrow have migrated into the systemic circulation. The particles then move throughout the body and clog smaller blood vessels, producing generalized petechiae. Has the potential to become pulmonary emboli (respiratory distress, acute confusion, and restlessness).

Question 24

Fracture

Answer 24

A disruption or break in the continuity of a bone

Question 25

Hypovolemia

Answer 25

Complication of a fracture due to the loss of blood that may occur

Question 26

Neurovascular compromise

Answer 26

A complication due to any source of decreased blood flow and oxygenation to the tissues.

Question 27

6 P’s of compartment syndrome

Answer 27

Passive pain at rest, pressure, paresthesia, And later signs including pallor, paralysis, and pulselessness

Question 28

Rhabdomyolysis

Answer 28

A potential complication from injuries that result in compression and tissue ischemia. S/S: severe flank pain and dark tea colored urine. Fluid resuscitation is ordered to flush the myoglobin through the kidney. It is frequently complicated by electrolyte disorders such as hyperkalemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypo/hypercalcemia.

Question 29

Traumatic amputation

Answer 29

The severing or removal of part of the body, usually the extremities. High-energy trauma mutilates and destroys soft tissues, blood vessels, nerves, and bones of the extremities. (Blunt force trauma including car accidents)

Question 30

Venous thromboembolism

Answer 30

Develop in the large vessels of the extremities because of extended periods of immobility, traumatic injuries, cardiac disease, long surgeries, obesity, smoking, and the use of oral contraceptives. Clots can develop in the large vessels of the extremities and hinder circulation or break apart and travel to the lungs.