Which complication of fractures is a severe condition that results from increased pressure within a closed space?

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of fractures because it can negatively impact bone health, reduce bone density, and impair bone healing.

a. Adequate calcium intake: Adequate calcium intake is essential for maintaining strong bones and reducing the risk of fractures, so it is not associated with an increased risk.
b. Regular weight-bearing exercise: Regular weight-bearing exercise helps improve bone density and reduces fracture risk, so it is not associated with an increased risk.
d. Maintaining a healthy body weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight is beneficial for overall health, but it is not specifically associated with an increased risk of fractures.

In a patient with an open fracture (compound fracture), there is a risk of infection due to the exposure of the bone to the external environment. The nurse should assess for signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, and increased pain at the fracture site.

a. Assessing joint range of motion is important, but it is not the priority in a patient with an open fracture, where preventing infection is the main concern.
b. Assessing neurological function in the unaffected limb is not directly related to the open fracture and may not be the priority at this time.
d. Assessing the quality of pain experienced by the patient is important for pain management but is not the priority over assessing for signs of infection in an open fracture.