The patient with the crushed forearm cannot get pain relief with opioids. The injury is swollen, cool, and cyanotic, with weak distal pulses. The nurse assesses that this is a(n):
1. compartment syndrome.
2. overwhelming infection.
3. fat embolus.
4. osteomyelitis.
1
A compartment syndrome may occur following massive injury or an inappropriately tight cast. The tissues become swollen to the point that they cut off their own circulation.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 917
OBJ: 3 TOP: Compartment Syndrome
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
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