The nurse is caring for a patient with a fracture. Which complications should the nurse monitor for? Select all that apply.
Hemorrhage
Elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine
Infection
Fat embolism syndrome
Elevated serum potassium
Correct Answer : A,C,D
A. Hemorrhage: This is correct. Fractures, especially in large bones like the femur or pelvis, can cause significant bleeding, either internally or externally.
B. Elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine: This is not directly related to fractures. These values indicate kidney function and are not typical complications of fractures.
C. Infection: This is correct. Open fractures and surgical interventions for fractures can lead to infections, including osteomyelitis.
D. Fat embolism syndrome: This is correct. Fat embolism syndrome can occur when fat globules from bone marrow enter the bloodstream, typically after fractures of long bones or the pelvis, and cause serious complications.
E. Elevated serum potassium: This is not typically a direct complication of fractures. Elevated potassium can occur due to other factors, such as crush injuries or tissue necrosis, but is not a common concern with simple fractures.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Has the patient been taking his medications as prescribed? This is the most important information to collect. Understanding the patient's medication adherence is crucial because if the patient is not taking his medications as prescribed, it could explain why his blood pressure is elevated. Noncompliance with medication regimens is a common cause of hypertensive urgency and can lead to severe complications. Therefore, knowing whether he has been taking his medications regularly and correctly would directly influence the management plan and help identify the cause of the current crisis.
Does the patient hurt anywhere else? While it’s important to assess for pain and discomfort to address immediate symptoms, this information does not directly address the potential cause of the elevated blood pressure. The patient already reported pain in the head, chest, and left leg, so the primary concern is managing his hypertensive urgency and understanding its underlying causes rather than identifying additional pain locations at this moment.
When does the patient take his furosemide? Knowing the timing of furosemide intake could provide insights into his diuretic therapy management and its potential impact on his blood pressure. However, it is less immediately relevant than understanding whether he has been taking all his medications as prescribed. This question might be more pertinent once medication adherence is confirmed to understand diuretic effects throughout the day.
Has the patient fallen before? This is relevant for assessing the risk of recurrent falls and potential underlying issues such as orthostatic hypotension or balance problems, which are crucial for long-term management and safety. However, it is not as immediately critical in the context of the current hypertensive urgency and the elevated blood pressure despite medication.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Dislocation injury: This refers to a joint being forced out of its normal position and is not related to strains.
B. Compression injury: This typically involves pressure that causes damage to a body part, such as crushing injuries, and does not describe a strain.
C. Muscle or tendon injury: A strain involves stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon fibers, making this the correct description of a strain.
D. Ligament injury: Injuries to ligaments are referred to as sprains, not strains.
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