A patient with a crushed forearm cannot get pain relief with opioid medications. The injury is swollen, cool, and cyanotic, with weak distal pulses. What should the nurse suspect?

a. Compartment syndrome
b. Overwhelming infection
c. Fat embolus
d. Osteomyelitis


A
Compartment syndrome may occur after a massive injury or an inappropriately tight cast. The tissues become swollen to the point that they cut off their own circulation.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

A patient at the obstetric office has just learned she is pregnant with dizygotic twins. What facts will the nurse include when educating this patient? (Select all that apply.)

a. Dizygotic twins are the same sex. b. Dizygotic twins share a placenta. c. Dizygotic pregnancies tend to repeat in families. d. Dizygotic twins have separate chorions. e. Dizygotic twin incidence decreases with maternal age.

Nursing

Amy has worked in the dialysis unit on staff for about 12 years. She is frequently consulted by other nursing staff regarding protocols and policies on the unit. What type of power is Amy using?

a. Position power b. Expert power c. Personal power d. Competency power

Nursing

If you know the total amount of medication, the total volume of solution, and the volume of solution the patient has received, you can determine the

A. dosage ordered. B. weight-based amount to deliver. C. amount of medication received. D. dosage on hand.

Nursing

A patient with a fractured pelvis and a left acetabular fracture is prescribed bedrest. When the patient asks to toilet, which measure would be appropriate?

a. Help patient up on a commode very carefully. b. Turn patient onto right side, place the bedpan behind, and turn back. c. Have patient sit up as high as possible and lift self up with hands pushing on the bed, then slide the bedpan underneath. d. Ask patient to lift straight up using a trapeze mounted above the bed and slide a bedpan underneath from the right side.

Nursing