A patient in Russell traction with a Pearson attachment for a fracture of the tibia complains of intense pain at the fracture site. The nurse assesses a temperature of 102° F and increased swel-ling at the fracture site

Question

Which complication do these findings suggest?
a. Osteomyelitis
b. Fat embolism
c. Traction misalignment
d. Nonunion of the fracture

Answer 1

A
Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection of the bone. The causative organism is most often Staphy-lococcus aureus, which enters the bloodstream from a distant focus of infection, such as a boil or furuncle, or from an open wound, as in an open (compound) fracture. It is usually found in the tibia or fibula, in vertebrae, or at the site of a prosthesis. Osteomyelitis has a sudden onset with severe pain and marked tenderness at the site, high fever with chills, swelling of adjacent soft parts, headache, and malaise. These findings are not consistent with fat embolisms, traction mi-salignment, or nonunion of the fracture.