NURS 334L: Week 4 Pre-lab Assignment – Lower Leg Fracture
1. What would you include in your focused assessment of the post operative orthopedic
client?
In the focused assessment, it’s important to listen for pulses via doplar for blood flow and
perfusion (Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020). Airway, breathing, and circulation would be a key
component similarly to any assessment. However, given the focused post-operative client, for
orthopedic purposes, pain is the most important assessment as it is important to define if it is
local upon the affected area or it’s radiating elsewhere. Pain management is a crucial
component because it can alter respiratory status, cause the blood pressure to elevate, the
heart rate to speed up, and is often manageable with proper medication Ignatavicius, et. al.,
2020). Nonpharmacological measures can also be taken such as positioning, ice packs, and
diversional techniques to reduce the level of pain as well.
2. What complications of fractures would be relevant to the client with a fracture of the
tibia and fibula?
Complications of fractures that would be relevant are limited range of motion, potentially weak
pulses of the dorsalis pedis & posterior tibialis, pain to the affected area, discoloration/pallor,
numbness/tingling. Priorities would be for mobility and perfusion related to pain, tissue
integrity, sensory perception, and risk for infection ( Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020). These can be acute
and/or chronic which is why early treatment is imperative in outcomes. Specific acute issues are
acute compartment syndrome which can be treated with a fasciotomy, or a fat embolism
(Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020). Chronic complications include, “avascular necrosis, delayed bone
healing, regional pain,” disruption of blood supply related to decreased perfusion ( Ignatavicius,
et. al., 2020).
3. What are the 6 P’s of neurovascular assessment?
The six P’s of neurovascular assessment are: pain, pressure, paresthesia, paralysis,
pulselessness, and pallor. Pain should only be felt at the injury site. Paresthesia is numbness and
tingling, whereas paralysis is the inability to move all or part of the body. Pulselessness is the
lack of a pulse, and pallor is the discolored or pale skin (Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020).
4. What would your nursing actions be if circulation were compromised? Why?
Act quickly as compromised blood flow or nerve damage can lead to complications, permanent
injury, or even death (Guo, 2022). Assess all major life-threatening complications such as
hemorrhage or compartment syndrome. Perform a thorough neurovascular assessment as
while it can be acute and emergent, delayed treatment and interventions can result in
permanent damage or even death (Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020).
References
This study source was downloaded by 100000857300661 from CourseHero.com on 12-07-2022 09:52:12 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/169422012/MS-ii-Week-4-Pre-lab-Assignmentdocx/
1. What would you include in your focused assessment of the post operative orthopedic
client?
In the focused assessment, it’s important to listen for pulses via doplar for blood flow and
perfusion (Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020). Airway, breathing, and circulation would be a key
component similarly to any assessment. However, given the focused post-operative client, for
orthopedic purposes, pain is the most important assessment as it is important to define if it is
local upon the affected area or it’s radiating elsewhere. Pain management is a crucial
component because it can alter respiratory status, cause the blood pressure to elevate, the
heart rate to speed up, and is often manageable with proper medication Ignatavicius, et. al.,
2020). Nonpharmacological measures can also be taken such as positioning, ice packs, and
diversional techniques to reduce the level of pain as well.
2. What complications of fractures would be relevant to the client with a fracture of the
tibia and fibula?
Complications of fractures that would be relevant are limited range of motion, potentially weak
pulses of the dorsalis pedis & posterior tibialis, pain to the affected area, discoloration/pallor,
numbness/tingling. Priorities would be for mobility and perfusion related to pain, tissue
integrity, sensory perception, and risk for infection ( Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020). These can be acute
and/or chronic which is why early treatment is imperative in outcomes. Specific acute issues are
acute compartment syndrome which can be treated with a fasciotomy, or a fat embolism
(Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020). Chronic complications include, “avascular necrosis, delayed bone
healing, regional pain,” disruption of blood supply related to decreased perfusion ( Ignatavicius,
et. al., 2020).
3. What are the 6 P’s of neurovascular assessment?
The six P’s of neurovascular assessment are: pain, pressure, paresthesia, paralysis,
pulselessness, and pallor. Pain should only be felt at the injury site. Paresthesia is numbness and
tingling, whereas paralysis is the inability to move all or part of the body. Pulselessness is the
lack of a pulse, and pallor is the discolored or pale skin (Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020).
4. What would your nursing actions be if circulation were compromised? Why?
Act quickly as compromised blood flow or nerve damage can lead to complications, permanent
injury, or even death (Guo, 2022). Assess all major life-threatening complications such as
hemorrhage or compartment syndrome. Perform a thorough neurovascular assessment as
while it can be acute and emergent, delayed treatment and interventions can result in
permanent damage or even death (Ignatavicius, et. al., 2020).
References
This study source was downloaded by 100000857300661 from CourseHero.com on 12-07-2022 09:52:12 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/169422012/MS-ii-Week-4-Pre-lab-Assignmentdocx/
