Which medical condition is a risk factor for pathological fractures?

A fracture is a break in the continuity of a bone, resulting from excessive force or stress applied to the bone. It is different from a dislocation, which involves the displacement of bone from its normal position at a joint.
a. A dislocation of a joint: A dislocation involves the displacement of bone from its normal position at a joint and is not the same as a fracture.
c. A stretching or tearing of ligaments: A stretching or tearing of ligaments is known as a sprain, not a fracture.
d. A separation of bone fragments at a joint: This description is more in line with a dislocation, where the bone separates from its normal position at a joint.

Patients with external fixation require close monitoring of the pin sites for signs of infection, as they are at risk of developing pin site infections.

a. Providing passive range of motion exercises: Passive range of motion exercises may be appropriate in some cases, but they are not specific to external fixation management.
b. Changing the dressing daily: Dressing changes for external fixation are typically done as instructed by the healthcare provider, which may not necessarily be daily.
c. Loosening the fixation screws every 4 hours: Fixation screws should not be loosened without proper medical guidance, as this can compromise the stability of the external fixation device.