The nurse is caring for a client who develops compartment syndrome from a severely fractured arm. The client asks the nurse why this can happen. What is the best response by the nurse?
A bone fragment has injured the nerve supply in the area.
An injured artery causes impaired arterial perfusion through the compartment.
Bleeding and swelling cause increased pressure in an area that cannot expand.
The fascia expands with injury, causing pressure on underlying nerves and muscles.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: A bone fragment has injured the nerve supply in the area is not the best response by the nurse. This may be a possible complication of a fracture, but it does not explain the mechanism of compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition where the pressure within a closed space (such as a muscle compartment) exceeds the perfusion pressure and causes ischemia and necrosis of the tissues. A bone fragment may damage the nerve, but it does not cause increased pressure in the compartment.
Choice B reason: An injured artery causes impaired arterial perfusion through the compartment is not the best response by the nurse. This may be a possible cause of compartment syndrome, but it is not the most common one. Compartment syndrome is more often caused by venous obstruction than arterial obstruction. An injured artery may reduce the blood flow to the compartment, but it does not cause increased pressure in the compartment.
Choice C reason: Bleeding and swelling cause increased pressure in an area that cannot expand is the best response by the nurse. This is the most common cause of compartment syndrome and explains the pathophysiology of the condition. Bleeding and swelling are the result of inflammation and tissue injury that occur after a fracture. They increase the volume of fluid in the compartment, which cannot expand due to the rigid fascia that surrounds it. This leads to increased pressure in the compartment, which compresses the blood vessels, nerves, and muscles and causes ischemia and necrosis of the tissues.
Choice D reason: The fascia expands with injury, causing pressure on underlying nerves and muscles is not the best response by the nurse. This is not a correct statement, as the fascia does not expand with injury. The fascia is a tough connective tissue that encloses the muscle compartments and limits their expansion. The fascia is part of the problem, not the cause, of compartment syndrome. The fascia prevents the compartment from accommodating the increased volume of fluid and causes increased pressure in the compartment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Client will remain free from falls throughout their hospital stay is the most appropriate goal for an elderly client with a nursing diagnosis of risk for injury after hip surgery, because it is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. This goal addresses the main risk factor for injury, which is falling, and the main outcome indicator, which is the absence of falls. This goal also reflects the client's condition, needs, and preferences, and is consistent with the standards of care and evidencebased practice.
Choice B reason: Client will increase activity tolerance by discharge from the hospital is not the most appropriate goal for an elderly client with a nursing diagnosis of risk for injury after hip surgery, because it is vague, subjective, unachievable, unrealistic, and untimely. This goal does not address the main risk factor for injury, which is falling, nor the main outcome indicator, which is the absence of falls. This goal also does not reflect the client's condition, needs, and preferences, and is not consistent with the standards of care and evidencebased practice.
Choice C reason: Client will demonstrate effective breathing pattern when ambulating throughout hospital stay is not the most appropriate goal for an elderly client with a nursing diagnosis of risk for injury after hip surgery, because it is irrelevant, unrelated, unnecessary, unrealistic, and untimely. This goal does not address the main risk factor for injury, which is falling, nor the main outcome indicator, which is the absence of falls. This goal also does not reflect the client's condition, needs, and preferences, and is not consistent with the standards of care and evidencebased practice.
Choice D reason: Client will increase mobility by the time of discharge from hospital is not the most appropriate goal for an elderly client with a nursing diagnosis of risk for injury after hip surgery, because it is vague, subjective, unachievable, unrealistic, and untimely. This goal does not address the main risk factor for injury, which is falling, nor the main outcome indicator, which is the absence of falls. This goal also does not reflect the client's condition, needs, and preferences, and is not consistent with the standards of care and evidencebased practice.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Stage 4 is the remodeling stage of bone healing, which occurs from 6 to 12 weeks after the fracture. In this stage, the callus, which is a mass of fibrous tissue and cartilage that forms around the fracture site, is gradually resorbed and replaced by mature bone. The bone becomes stronger and more compact and regains its original shape and function.
Choice B reason: Stage 3 is the callus formation stage of bone healing, which occurs from 2 to 6 weeks after the fracture. In this stage, the granulation tissue, which is a soft tissue that fills the fracture gap, is replaced by a callus that bridges the fracture ends. The callus is composed of fibroblasts, chondroblasts, and osteoblasts that produce collagen, cartilage, and bone matrix. The callus stabilizes the fracture and prepares it for remodeling.
Choice C reason: Stage 5 is not a valid stage of bone healing. There are only four stages of bone healing: stage 1 is the inflammatory stage, stage 2 is the reparative stage, stage 3 is the callus formation stage, and stage 4 is the remodeling stage.
Choice D reason: Stage 1 is the inflammatory stage of bone healing, which occurs from the time of the fracture to 3 to 5 days after the fracture. In this stage, the blood vessels around the fracture site are ruptured and form a hematoma, which is a blood clot that surrounds the fracture ends. The hematoma triggers an inflammatory response that involves the release of cytokines, growth factors, and inflammatory cells that initiate the healing process. The hematoma also provides a scaffold for the granulation tissue to grow.
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