Mobility: Fractures Flashcards
What is a closed fracture?
Bone breaks but skin remains intact. Also called a simple fracture
What is an open fracture?
Bone breaks and protrudes through the skin; increased risk of osteomyelitis. Also called a compound fracture
What is a complete fracture?
Fracture involves the entire width of the bone
What is a greenstick fracture?
Bone fragments are still partially joined. Also called an incomplete fracture. Occurs commonly in children
What is a comminuted fracture?
Bone fragments into many pieces. Common in individuals with brittle bones, such as patients with osteogenesis imperfecta
What is an impacted fracture?
The two ends of the bone are forced together. Also called a buckle fracture. Often seen with children’s arm and hip fractures
What is an oblique fracture?
Fracture occurs diagonal to the bone’s axis
What is a transverse fracture?
Fracture occurs at a right angle to the bones axis
What is a linear fracture?
Fracture occurs parallel to the bone’s axis
What is a displaced fracture?
Broken ends of bones move out of correct anatomical alignment. Also called an unstable fracture. Requires immediate attention to prevent further damage
What is a nondisplaced fracture?
Broken ends of bones remain aligned. Also called a stable fracture
What is an avulsion fracture?
A fragment of bone is separated from the rest of the bone. May also involve displacement of surrounding tissues
What is a stress fracture?
Caused by small repetitive forces on the bone. Often caused by participation in sports or exercise
What is a spiral fracture?
Fracture spirals around the bone. Occurs as the result of a twisting force, often during sports. Occurs commonly in children.
What is a depression fracture?
Bone is forced inward. Occurs commonly in skull fractures
What is a pathologic fracture?
Caused by a disease that weakens the bone such as osteoporosis, bone cancer, and osteogenesis imperfecta
What is a compression fracture?
Bone is crushed; occurs most commonly in vertebrae. Common in patients with osteoporosis
What is a nonunion?
A fracture that shows no clinically significant progress toward complete healing for at least 3 months based on x-rays.
What is a delayed union?
Occurs when the healing process takes significantly longer than expected.
How long do phalanges and femurs typically take to heal from a fracture?
Phalanges: 3 weeks
Femurs: 12 weeks
What is a malunion?
Occurs when the bone fragments join in a position that is not anatomically correct
What are some complications that can occur when someone has a fracture?
- compartment syndrome
- DVT
- Fat embolism syndrome
- Infection
- Smoking
What is compartment syndrome?
- Swelling and edema and increased pressure in the muscle compartment.
- decreased blood flow and potential muscle and nerve damage
- If left untreated, it can cause the patient to lose the limb.
How does a nurse detect early the start of compartment syndrome?
5 P’s:
- Pain
- Pulse
- Pallor
- Parathesis
- Paralysis
What can cause a DVT if someone has a fracture, what should the nurse look for, and what should the nurse not do?
Immobility causes it. Look for edema distal to the DVT (edema in the feet, if the DVT is in the leg), Pain or tenderness, and nurse and patient should not massage the area
When does fat embolism syndrome occur, and what happens with it?
Occurs mostly during long bond and pelvic fractures. It is an emergency situation because the fat can get lodged somewhere. It can be like a PE (feeling of impending doom)
What patients with fractures are at most risk for infection?
Patients with open fractures, rods placed, or in surgery
What should the nurse do to promote proper healing?
- maintain proper alignment
- Promote mobility
- Monitor neurovascular status
- Prevent infection (Education the patient on what infection looks like, redness, warmth, drainage, look for other complications)
What discharge instructions should the nurse give to someone who has had a fracture?
- older people should not have throw rugs. They should have shower bars, a walker or a cane to help them ambulate
- younger people need education on risky behaviors
- maintain ideal body weight
- Maintain good nutrition
- Maintain adequate rest
- Nonpharmacologic pain management
- provide resources for therapy and assistive devices
- Don’t wear slippers and nonskid socks
What interventions should the nurse take for compartment syndrome?
- removal of tight cast
- Fasciotomy
- Ice
- Elevation
What interventions are taken for a DVT?
- bedrest
- Anticoagulants
- Thrombolytics
- Surgical
- Surgical insertion of filter
- Early immobilization of the fracture
- Regular exercise
- Early ambulation
- Compression stockings or boots
What interventions are taken for fat embolism syndrome?
- administration of oxygen
- mechanical ventilation
- Corticosteroids
- Early immobilization of injury
