Which assessment is a nonverbal sign of pain? (Select all that apply.)

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.

Choice A reason: Shearing or friction is the force that caused the injury, because it occurs when the skin and underlying tissues move in opposite directions, such as when the client slides down in bed. Shearing or friction can damage the blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the skin, resulting in tissue ischemia, necrosis, and ulceration.

Choice B reason: Pressure or gravity is not the force that caused the injury, because it occurs when the skin and underlying tissues are compressed between a bony prominence and an external surface, such as when the client lies on his back. Pressure or gravity can impair blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin, resulting in tissue damage and ulceration.

Choice C reason: Chemical or pressure is not the force that caused the injury, because it occurs when the skin is exposed to a substance that causes irritation, inflammation, or corrosion, such as when the client has a wound dressing that contains an antiseptic or a topical agent. Chemical or pressure can damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of infection and delayed wound healing.

Choice D reason: Twisting and bending is not the force that caused the injury, because it occurs when the skin and underlying tissues are stretched or distorted, such as when the client twists his ankle or bends his knee. Twisting and bending can cause sprains, strains, or tears of the ligaments, tendons, or muscles.