What is an essential part of the nursing assessment for a patient with a suspected fracture?

For a stable closed fracture, cast immobilization is a common treatment option. A cast helps support and protect the fractured bone, allowing it to heal properly.

a. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): ORIF is a surgical procedure used for complex or unstable fractures that cannot be treated with a cast alone.
b. Traction: Traction is applied to realign and stabilize fractures, but it is not typically the first-line treatment for stable closed fractures.
d. External fixation: External fixation involves using pins and an external frame to stabilize fractures, and it is typically used for complex or open fractures.

Before applying a cast, the nurse should obtain a baseline neurovascular assessment of the extremity to establish normal function. This assessment will serve as a reference for comparison throughout the cast's application and during the healing process.

a. Elevating the extremity to reduce swelling is a valuable intervention but is not directly related to applying a cast. It can be performed later as part of post-cast application care.
b. Applying ice packs to the fracture site can help reduce swelling and pain but is not a step in preparing for the cast application.
c. Administering analgesics to manage pain is important, but obtaining a baseline neurovascular assessment is the priority before applying a cast.