ADVANTAGE FOR MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Function of a cast: - ANSWER: Used to immobilize a part of the body that has been
fractured, broken or to fix and deformities.
Fiberglass casts: - ANSWER: Made with polyurethane resins and its light weight,
sturdier and water resistent
Plaster casts: - ANSWER: Made with plaster of paris
Pro = molds better to the affected area
Cons = hevier, not water resistant and have a longer drying time
Patient Education for Casts include: - ANSWER: 1. Elevate extremity above the heart
2. Preform PROM exercises
3. Avoid getting the cast wet
In Patients with Cast what should they report ? - ANSWER: 1. Foul odor
2. Hot spots in the casts
3. Numbness/ tingling
4. Loss of distal pulse
5. Pain unrelieved with medication
T:F - The client should never put any lotions, powders, hangers in or around the cast -
ANSWER: TRUe b/c it can lead to irritation, skin injury and infection
How can an individual relieve an itch in a Cast ? - ANSWER: Use a hairdryer on cool
and direct it under the cast
Pathology of Fractures: - ANSWER: Disturbance in the progression of bone structure. It
can be a break or crack in the bone
A fracture can be ___ or ___ - ANSWER: open; closed
Open Fractures is AKA: - ANSWER: Compound fracture
Open/Compound Fracture: - ANSWER: A fracture where the bone breaks through the
skin
Closed Fracture: - ANSWER: A fracture where the bone does NOT breaks through the
skin
, Risk Factors for fractures include: - ANSWER: Trauma - falls, accidents, sports injuried
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
What is used to diagnose a fracture ? - ANSWER: x-ray
Transverse Fracture: - ANSWER: Bone fractured straight across
Oblique Fracture: - ANSWER: The fracture runs at an angle across the bone
(diagonally)
Greenstick Fracture: - ANSWER: bending and incomplete break of a bone; most often
seen in children
- One side of the bone is bent and the other is broken
Comminuted Fracture: - ANSWER: fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed
Impacted Fracture: - ANSWER: The fractured bone is driven into another bone
Spiral Fracture: - ANSWER: The break partically encircles the bone
For fractures #1 Intervention is to ___ the fracture - ANSWER: Immobilize ( casts,
splint)
Nursing Considerations for Open Fractures: - ANSWER: 1. Stop the bleeding
2. Apply pressure
3. Cover with a sterile dressing
Neurovascular Assessment: - ANSWER: Pain
Pulse
Pallor
Paresthesia
Paralysis
Polikthermia
RICE - - ANSWER: rest, ice, compression, elevation
Pathology of Compartment Syndrome: - ANSWER: A serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate intervention
- may lead to necrosis, paralysis and loss of affected limb if not treated
Describe what occurs in Compartment Syndrome: - ANSWER: Pressure increases →
Blood flow is cut off → Tissue damage occurs as a result of Hypoxia
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Function of a cast: - ANSWER: Used to immobilize a part of the body that has been
fractured, broken or to fix and deformities.
Fiberglass casts: - ANSWER: Made with polyurethane resins and its light weight,
sturdier and water resistent
Plaster casts: - ANSWER: Made with plaster of paris
Pro = molds better to the affected area
Cons = hevier, not water resistant and have a longer drying time
Patient Education for Casts include: - ANSWER: 1. Elevate extremity above the heart
2. Preform PROM exercises
3. Avoid getting the cast wet
In Patients with Cast what should they report ? - ANSWER: 1. Foul odor
2. Hot spots in the casts
3. Numbness/ tingling
4. Loss of distal pulse
5. Pain unrelieved with medication
T:F - The client should never put any lotions, powders, hangers in or around the cast -
ANSWER: TRUe b/c it can lead to irritation, skin injury and infection
How can an individual relieve an itch in a Cast ? - ANSWER: Use a hairdryer on cool
and direct it under the cast
Pathology of Fractures: - ANSWER: Disturbance in the progression of bone structure. It
can be a break or crack in the bone
A fracture can be ___ or ___ - ANSWER: open; closed
Open Fractures is AKA: - ANSWER: Compound fracture
Open/Compound Fracture: - ANSWER: A fracture where the bone breaks through the
skin
Closed Fracture: - ANSWER: A fracture where the bone does NOT breaks through the
skin
, Risk Factors for fractures include: - ANSWER: Trauma - falls, accidents, sports injuried
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
What is used to diagnose a fracture ? - ANSWER: x-ray
Transverse Fracture: - ANSWER: Bone fractured straight across
Oblique Fracture: - ANSWER: The fracture runs at an angle across the bone
(diagonally)
Greenstick Fracture: - ANSWER: bending and incomplete break of a bone; most often
seen in children
- One side of the bone is bent and the other is broken
Comminuted Fracture: - ANSWER: fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed
Impacted Fracture: - ANSWER: The fractured bone is driven into another bone
Spiral Fracture: - ANSWER: The break partically encircles the bone
For fractures #1 Intervention is to ___ the fracture - ANSWER: Immobilize ( casts,
splint)
Nursing Considerations for Open Fractures: - ANSWER: 1. Stop the bleeding
2. Apply pressure
3. Cover with a sterile dressing
Neurovascular Assessment: - ANSWER: Pain
Pulse
Pallor
Paresthesia
Paralysis
Polikthermia
RICE - - ANSWER: rest, ice, compression, elevation
Pathology of Compartment Syndrome: - ANSWER: A serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate intervention
- may lead to necrosis, paralysis and loss of affected limb if not treated
Describe what occurs in Compartment Syndrome: - ANSWER: Pressure increases →
Blood flow is cut off → Tissue damage occurs as a result of Hypoxia
