A patient recovering from a total hip replacement develops a fever and redness at the surgical site. The nurse's priority is to conduct additional assessment for which disorder?

Question

1. Pathologic fracture
2. Osteomyelitis
3. Undiagnosed osteitis deformans
4. Subacute osteoporosis

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Pathologic fracture occurs in the absence of trauma. Fever and redness are not manifestations of pathologic fracture.
Rationale 2: Acute osteomyelitis results from direct trauma or surgery. It is the direct contact of bacteria or the implanting of bacteria from the outside environment during a surgical procedure. Symptoms of acute osteomyelitis include fever, edema at the surgical site, warmth, redness, tenderness, and limited mobility.
Rationale 3: Osteitis deformans is a chronic disorder that causes irregular bone breakdown and bone weakness.
Rationale 4: Subacute osteoporosis is not a clinical disorder.