Author Question: A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of right knee pain after being knocked down ... (Read 133 times)

burton19126 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of right knee pain after being knocked down while playing basketball.

The exam reveals the patient experiences difficulty when stepping down on the right leg due to acute pain around the knee and slight swelling of the right knee. What should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

1. The patient will be sent home with instructions to use ice for one week.
2. The patient will be admitted to the hospital and seen by an orthopedic specialist.
3. The patient will be scheduled to see an orthopedic physician and a tentative appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
4. The patient will be admitted to the hospital and scheduled for exploratory surgery.

Question 2

A patient is seen in the clinic complaining of pain in the left wrist. There is no deformity of the wrist, the left radial pulse is strong, and there is no history of a fall or injury. What does the nurse expect to see ordered?

1. an x-ray of both arms to ensure there is no injury present
2. rest and comfort measures for several days unless pain worsens
3. lab work to assess calcium and phosphorus levels
4. a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the wrist to check for soft tissue injury

Edwyer · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3

This injury would not be considered an emergency if alterations in sensation, perfusion, and movement of the leg are present. Since these changes are not noted on assessment, hospitalization or surgery would not be indicated. The possible injury to the knee (likely cartilage injury) will be evaluated by a specialist and a decision will be made regarding the need for the MRI. An MRI would evaluate tears of a ligament or cartilage.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Based on the history and objective findings, there is not a present need to order x-rays or lab work. A CT scan of a wrist is not expected. Initially, rest and comfort measures are best to see if the pain resolves. If the pain persists over several days or if other signs and symptoms emerge, a more aggressive approach would be expected.