Week 7 - Bone Fractures Flashcards
what is a fracture
- disruption or break in the continuity of the structure of bone
what 4 ways can fractures be classified and what do they mean
- open = skin is broken, bone exposed, soft tissue injury
- closed = skin not ruptures, skin intact
- complete = break completely thru the bone
- incomplete = occurs partly across the bone, bone still in one piece
what are symptoms of fractures (8)
- immediate localized pain
- decreased function
- inability to bear weight
- obvious bone deformity may be present
- extremity immobilized in position it was found
- swelling
- bruising
- crepitation
what is used to diagnose a fracture (3)
- xray
- ct
- MRI
what are the overall goals of fracture treatment (3)
- anatomical realignment of bone fragments = reduction
- immobilization to maintain realignment
- restoration of normal or near normal function of the injured extremity
what are the 2 types of fracture reduction
- open
- closed
what is a closed reduction
- nonsurgical, manual realignment of bone fragments to their previous anatomical position
- often involves traction & countertraction
- usually performed under local or general anasthesia
what is traction
- process of slowly and gently pulling on a fractured or dislocated body part
- application of a pulling force on a fractured extremitity to attain realignment
after closed reduction, what is done
- traction, casting, external fixation, splints, or braces are used to immbolize the injury to maintain alignment until healing occurs
what are 2 types of traction
- skin
- skeletal
what is skin traction
- traction used for short term treatment (48-72 hr) until skeletal traction or surgery is possible
- includes tape, boots, or splints directly applied to the skin
what is skeletal traction
- traction generally in place for longer periods of time
- provides a long term pull that keeps the injured bone and joints aligned
- involves insertion of a pin or wire into the bone
what is a disadvantage associated w skeletal traction (2)
- risk of infection
- prolonged immobility
what is open reduction
- correction of bone alignment thru a surgical incision
- often includes internal fixation of the bone using wires, screws, plates, pins, rods, or nails
what are the disadvantages of open reduction
- risk of infection
- use of anasthesia
what must be done after open reduction (2)
- early initiation of ROM
- use of machines that provide continuous passive motion to joints
what is the benefit of open reduction with internal fixation
- facilitates early ambulation
= decreased r/o complications r/t prolonged immobility
what is countertraction
- pulls in the opposite direction of traction
for traction to be effective, what is required
- countertraction
how is countertraction supplied
- either by pt’s body weight
- pr weights pulling in the opposite direction and may be augmented by elevated the bed
what is imp r/t traction (3)
- must be maintained continuously
- keep weight off the floor
- keep weight moving freely thru pulleys
what is the benefit of casts
- allows the pt to perform many normal ADLs while still providing sufficient immobilization
what are the 2 types of casts
- plaster
- fiberglass
describe how a plaster cast is applied (4)
- pad bony prominences
- plaster immersed in water then wrapped around affected joint
- plaster sets within 15 min
- 24 hr dry period
how long until a plaster cast is strong enough for weight bearing
- 24-72 h
what is important to educate the pt & family about regarding a plaster cast (3)
- do not cover w blanket –> air cannot circulate = heat builds up = risk of burn
- during the drying period, cast should be kept dry, clean and direct pressure avoided
- handle cast gently w open palm while drying to avoid a dent
what are the benefits to using a fiberglass cast (6)
- lightweight
- stronger
- relatively waterproof
- faster-drying than plaster
- porous (less risk of skin problems)
- allows for almost immediate mobilization)
what should be assessed / included in nursing care for casts (3)
- frequent neurovascular assessments (can interfere w circulation & nerve fnxn if too tight)
- pain assessment & management
- assess for signs of complications
what should pts be taught regarding casts in general(12)
- S&S of cast complication
- do not insert any objects inside cast
- do not cover cast w plastic for prolonged periods
- do not bear weight on new cast for 48 h
- when applying ice in first 24 hr, avoid getting cast wet by keeping ice in plastic bag & protecting cast w cloth)
- exercise joints above & below cast
- do not pull out cast padding
- do not scratch inside the cast (risk of skin breakdown & infection)
- apply ice for first 24 hr to reduce swelling
- elevate above lvl of heart for first 48 h
- dry cast thoroughly if exposure w water (blot w towel, hair dryer on low setting)
- check w HCP before getting fiberglass cast wet
when should you not elevate the extremity above the heart
- if compartment syndrome is suspected
if a pt with a cast is experiencing itchiness, what can they do
- hair dryer set on cool setting can be directed under the cast
what are some S&S of cast complications the patient should report to the HCP (7)
- increased pain
- swelling
- discoloration of distal extremity
- pain during movement
- burning or tingling under cast
- sores
- odour under cast
what should you do if a cast has to be removed in an emergency (3)
- remove cast
- maintain immobility
- call dr
what is external fixation
- use of a metallic device composed of metal pins that are inserted into the bone and attached to external rods to stabilize the fracture while it heals
- long term process
what is external fixation used for (3)
- traction
- compress fracture fragments
- immobolize reduced fragments when use of a cast or other traction is not available
what is included in care/assessment of external fixation (5)
- assessment for pin loosening
- pin site care & cleaning
- assessment of infection
- vascular assessment (if pin hits nerve)
- pain should decrease w time
what is internal fixation
- surgical insertion of internal fixation devices (pins, plates, rods, screws) at the time of realignment
what should be included in assessment/care for a pt using traction (9)
- if slings used, inspect exposed skin areas regularly
- skin assessment
- skeletal traction pin site cleaning & S&S of infection
- generally keep pt in center of bed in supine position
- monitor for S&S of complications associated w immobility
- frequent pstn changes
- if exercise permitted, encourage participation in simple exercise regimen
- ROM exercise of unaffected joints
- DB&C
- frequent exercise of the trunk
what does pin site care typically include in skeletal traction (3)
- regular removal of exudates w half strength hydrogen peroxide
- rinsing pin sites w normal saline
- drying area w sterile gauze
what drug therapy is typically involved for a pt with fractures (5)
pts with fractures often experience pain associated w muscle spasms
- central & peripheral muscle relaxants
- NSAIDs
- narcotics
- baclofen
- prophylaxis for complications from immobility (clots)
what is are 2 example of a central and peripgeral muscle relaxant
- cyclobenzaprine
- methocarbamol (robaxin)
in an open fracture, there is risk of tetanus if they have not been previously immunized. what is done in this situation
- use of prophylactic bone-penetrating anitbiotics
ex. cefazolin
why is nutrition imp for a pt with a fracture (3)
- proper nutrition is imp for healing
- promote muscle strength and tone
- enhance ambulation
describe nutrition for a pt with a fracture (8)
- ample protein
- vitamins (esp B, C, D)
- calcium
- phosphorus
- magnesium
- 3 well-balanced meals a day
- fluid intake of 2000-3000 mL/day for bowel and bladder function
- high fibre
in what situation would 6 small meals be preferred over 3 large ones for a pt w fracture
- if have skeletal traction, in body jacket, or hip spica bandage
- prevent abdominal pressure & cramping
if a pt comes in w a fracture r/t trauma, what is the priority
- neuro assessment
what assessment should be done in a pt with a fracture? why?
- neurovascular
- the injury can cause nerve or vascular damage, usually distal to the injury
what does a neurovascular assessment include
- peripheral vascular assessment
- peripheral neuro assessment
what is assessed during a neurovascular assessment
- color
- temp
- cap refill
- distal pulses
- edema
- sensation
- motor function
- pain
compare bilat!