A child who has fractured his forearm is unable to extend his ...

[amal]

A child who has fractured his forearm is unable to extend his fingers. The nurse knows that this:
 
  a. is normal following this type of injury.
  b. may indicate compartmental syndrome.
  c. may indicate fat embolism.
  d. may indicate damage to the epiphyseal plate.

Question 2

A 6-year-old patient in skeletal traction for a femur fracture has pain and edema of the thigh and is febrile. The nurse should suspect which condition?
 
  a. Meningitis
  b. Crepitus
  c. Osteomyelitis
  d. Osteochondrosis

[ansleighelindsey]

Answer to Question 1

B
Swelling causes pressure to rise within the immobilizing device leading to compartmental syndrome. Signs include severe pain, often unrelieved by analgesics, and neurovascular impairment. It is not uncommon in the forearm, so the inability to extend the fingers may indicate compartmental syndrome. It is not normal that the child is unable to extend his fingers; this indicates neurovascular compromise of some type. Paresthesia or numbness or loss of feeling can indicate a neurovascular compromise and can result in paralysis. Fat embolism causes respiratory distress with hypoxia and respiratory acidosis. Paresthesia is not related to damage to the epiphyseal plate.

Answer to Question 2

C
The most serious complication of skeletal traction is osteomyelitis. Clinical manifestations include complaints of localized pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness, or unusual odor. An elevated temperature may accompany the symptoms. The symptoms of meningitis include headache, photophobia, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Crepitus is the sandy or gravelly feeling noted when a broken bone is palpated. Osteochondrosis is a disorder of the epiphyses involving an interruption of the blood supply.

[amal]

TYSM

[elyse44]

Gracias!