ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 62 : Caring for Clients With Traumatic Musculoskeletal Injuries Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client comes to the clinic 2 days after sustaining a sprain to the left ankle. What intervention can the nurse encourage the client to perform that will help improve circulation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After 2 days, when swelling is no longer likely to increase, applying heat reduces pain and relieves local edema by improving circulation. Full use of the injured joint is discouraged temporarily. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will ease discomfort but not improve circulation. Applying cold compresses is only used in the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Question 2 of 5
A client comes to the emergency department and it is found that the client's radial head is partially dislocated. What is this partially dislocated radial head documented as?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A partial dislocation is referred to as a subluxation. A Volkmann contracture is a claw-like deformity that results from compartment syndrome or obstructed arterial blood flow to the forearm and hand. Compartment syndrome is a condition in which a structure such as a tendon or nerve is constricted in a confined space and affects nerve innervation, leading to subsequent palsy. A sprain is injury to the ligaments surrounding the joint.
Question 3 of 5
A client sustains a fractured right humerus in an automobile accident. The arm is edematous, the client reports not being able to feel or move the fingers, and the nurse does not feel a pulse. What condition should the nurse be concerned about that requires emergency measures?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Separation of adjacent bones from their articulating joint interferes with normal use and produces a distorted appearance. The injury may disrupt local blood supply to structures such as the joint cartilage, causing degeneration, chronic pain, and restricted movement. Compartment syndrome is a condition in which a structure such as a tendon or nerve is constricted in a confined space. The fractured humerus may also be dislocated but is not the result of the impaired circulatory status. Muscle spasms may occur around the fracture site but are not the cause of circulatory impairment. Subluxation is a partial dislocation.
Question 4 of 5
A client was involved in an automobile accident and sustained multiple traumas. The client has a Volkmann contracture to the right hand. What objective data does the nurse document related to this finding?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Volkmann contracture is a clawlike deformity of the hand resulting from obstructed arterial blood flow to the forearm and hand. The client is unable to extend the fingers and reports unrelenting pain, particularly if attempting to stretch the hand. Nodules on the knuckles and dislocation are not indicative of Volkmann contracture.
Question 5 of 5
A client had a dislocated shoulder, and when healing, the client had insufficient deposits of collagen during the repair stage. What complication is the nurse aware can occur from this lack of collagen?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A possible complication of dislocations during the healing process involves an insufficient deposit of collagen during the repair stage. The end result is that the ligaments may have reduced tensile strength and future instability, leading to recurrent dislocations of the same joint. Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve. Compartment syndrome is not a recurrent problem but will affect innervation. Volkmann contracture is a result of obstructed arterial blood flow to the forearm and hand and does not result from a dislocated shoulder.