HURST REVIEW: ORTHOPEDICS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
COMPLETE HURST ORTHOPEDICS NCLEX STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Fractures: Signs/Symptoms include - ANS ✔✔-pain and tenderness
-unnatural movement
-deformity (possible)
-shortening of extremity- caused by muscle spasm
-crepitus
-swelling
-discoloration
-worry about compartment syndrome
What is the treatment for fractures? - ANS ✔✔-immobilize the bone ends plus the adjacent joints
-support fracture above and below the site
-limit movement as much as possible
-splint helps prevent fat emboli and muscle spasms
-neurovascular
What do you assess for neuromuscular checks? - ANS ✔✔pulse, color, movement, sensation, cap refill
and temperature
for an open fracture what should you do? - ANS ✔✔cover with something sterile
Fractures Treatment: What is the most important thing? - ANS ✔✔neurovascular checks
What are complications are fractures? - ANS ✔✔-shock
-fat embolism
-compartment syndrome
Shock can occur depending on - ANS ✔✔amount of trauma and type of injury
Shock can occur specifically with - ANS ✔✔-pelvic fractures
-crushing fractures
-multiple long bone fractures
With what type of fractures do you see fat embolism? - ANS ✔✔-long bones (femur)
-pelvic fractures
-crushing injuries
The same fracture that can cause fat embolism also cause - ANS ✔✔shock
What are the Signs/Symptoms of fat emboli - ANS ✔✔petechiae or rash over chest
conjunctival hemorrhages
snow storm or CXR- will be completely white bc fat emboli like to go to the lungs
Fractures Complications: Fat emboli can occur more in men because of their - ANS ✔✔risky behavior
, Fractures Complications: Fat emboli usually occur within - ANS ✔✔the first 36 hours after injury
Fractures Complications: Compartment syndrome is - ANS ✔✔increased pressure within a limited space
Fractures Complications: With compartment syndrome, fluid - ANS ✔✔accumulates in the tissue and
impairs tissue perfusion
Fractures Complications: With compartment syndrome, the muscle becomes ______________________
and the client reports __________________________________ - ANS ✔✔swollen and hard; severe pain
that is not relieved with pain meds
Fractures Complications: With compartment syndrome, the pain is - ANS ✔✔disproportionate to the
injury (more than you would expect)
Fractures Complications: If compartment syndrome is undetected, it may result in - ANS ✔✔nerve
damage and possible amputation
Fractures Complications: What are common areas for compartment syndrome? - ANS ✔✔forearm and
quadriceps
Fractures Complications: You don't need to have a fracture to get - ANS ✔✔compartment syndrome (ex.
carpal tunnel)
Compartment Syndrome: Treatment includes - ANS ✔✔-loosening cast to restore circulation by bivalving
it
-fasciotomy
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: Removing the cast is NOT - ANS ✔✔first choice answer
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: If they have a cast, - ANS ✔✔loosen the cast to restore circulation
by bivalving it
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: What do you use to remove or loosen the cast? - ANS ✔✔cast
cutters
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: With a cast saw, explain to the client that - ANS ✔✔the cast saw
does not touch the skin, but it does vibrate
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: Fasciotomy is when - ANS ✔✔the primary healthcare provider cuts
down into the tissue to relieve pressure and restore circulation
Fractures: Casts can either be - ANS ✔✔plaster or fiberglass
Cast Care - Plaster Casts: Place ice packs on _______________ for the first ____________ because the
cast is _________________ and this will help ____________________ - ANS ✔✔the side of the cast; 24
hours; still wet; decrease edema
COMPLETE HURST ORTHOPEDICS NCLEX STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Fractures: Signs/Symptoms include - ANS ✔✔-pain and tenderness
-unnatural movement
-deformity (possible)
-shortening of extremity- caused by muscle spasm
-crepitus
-swelling
-discoloration
-worry about compartment syndrome
What is the treatment for fractures? - ANS ✔✔-immobilize the bone ends plus the adjacent joints
-support fracture above and below the site
-limit movement as much as possible
-splint helps prevent fat emboli and muscle spasms
-neurovascular
What do you assess for neuromuscular checks? - ANS ✔✔pulse, color, movement, sensation, cap refill
and temperature
for an open fracture what should you do? - ANS ✔✔cover with something sterile
Fractures Treatment: What is the most important thing? - ANS ✔✔neurovascular checks
What are complications are fractures? - ANS ✔✔-shock
-fat embolism
-compartment syndrome
Shock can occur depending on - ANS ✔✔amount of trauma and type of injury
Shock can occur specifically with - ANS ✔✔-pelvic fractures
-crushing fractures
-multiple long bone fractures
With what type of fractures do you see fat embolism? - ANS ✔✔-long bones (femur)
-pelvic fractures
-crushing injuries
The same fracture that can cause fat embolism also cause - ANS ✔✔shock
What are the Signs/Symptoms of fat emboli - ANS ✔✔petechiae or rash over chest
conjunctival hemorrhages
snow storm or CXR- will be completely white bc fat emboli like to go to the lungs
Fractures Complications: Fat emboli can occur more in men because of their - ANS ✔✔risky behavior
, Fractures Complications: Fat emboli usually occur within - ANS ✔✔the first 36 hours after injury
Fractures Complications: Compartment syndrome is - ANS ✔✔increased pressure within a limited space
Fractures Complications: With compartment syndrome, fluid - ANS ✔✔accumulates in the tissue and
impairs tissue perfusion
Fractures Complications: With compartment syndrome, the muscle becomes ______________________
and the client reports __________________________________ - ANS ✔✔swollen and hard; severe pain
that is not relieved with pain meds
Fractures Complications: With compartment syndrome, the pain is - ANS ✔✔disproportionate to the
injury (more than you would expect)
Fractures Complications: If compartment syndrome is undetected, it may result in - ANS ✔✔nerve
damage and possible amputation
Fractures Complications: What are common areas for compartment syndrome? - ANS ✔✔forearm and
quadriceps
Fractures Complications: You don't need to have a fracture to get - ANS ✔✔compartment syndrome (ex.
carpal tunnel)
Compartment Syndrome: Treatment includes - ANS ✔✔-loosening cast to restore circulation by bivalving
it
-fasciotomy
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: Removing the cast is NOT - ANS ✔✔first choice answer
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: If they have a cast, - ANS ✔✔loosen the cast to restore circulation
by bivalving it
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: What do you use to remove or loosen the cast? - ANS ✔✔cast
cutters
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: With a cast saw, explain to the client that - ANS ✔✔the cast saw
does not touch the skin, but it does vibrate
Compartment Syndrome Treatment: Fasciotomy is when - ANS ✔✔the primary healthcare provider cuts
down into the tissue to relieve pressure and restore circulation
Fractures: Casts can either be - ANS ✔✔plaster or fiberglass
Cast Care - Plaster Casts: Place ice packs on _______________ for the first ____________ because the
cast is _________________ and this will help ____________________ - ANS ✔✔the side of the cast; 24
hours; still wet; decrease edema
