Orthopedic Injuries and Perioperative Care

Blunt Tissue Injuries, Sprains, and Strains

• Aetiology: caused by direct blows or trauma, leading to damage to soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Pathophysiology: involves inflammation, swelling, and pain due to bleeding and edema
• Clinical manifestations: pain, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility

Fractures

• Aetiology: caused by excessive force, twisting, or trauma, leading to bone breakage
• Pathophysiology: involves disruption of bone architecture, leading to bleeding, inflammation, and pain
• Clinical manifestations: pain, swelling, deformity, and limited mobility

Fracture Healing

• Process: inflammation, soft callus formation, hard callus formation, and bone remodeling
• Inflammation: initial response to injury, involving bleeding and swelling
• Soft callus formation: cartilaginous matrix forms at fracture site, providing some stability
• Hard callus formation: bony tissue forms, replacing cartilaginous matrix, providing greater stability
• Bone remodeling: final stage, where bone is reshaped and restored to its original form

Immobilization for Fracture Repair

• Forms: casts, splints, and internal fixation devices
• Comparing and contrasting:
  • Casts: provide external support and immobilization, limiting mobility
  • Splints: provide external support and immobilization, allowing for some mobility
  • Internal fixation devices: provide internal support and stabilization, allowing for early mobilization

Compartment Syndrome

• Definition: a condition where increased pressure in a muscle compartment leads to decreased blood flow and nerve function
• Causes: fracture, trauma, or surgery
• Clinical manifestations: pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness
• Nursing management:
  • Monitor for signs and symptoms
  • Maintain elevation and immobilization
  • Provide pain management
  • Monitor for complications

Perioperative Care

• Purpose of nursing assessment: to identify potential risks and complications
• Components of nursing assessment:
  • Preoperative: medical history, physical examination, and laboratory results
  • Intraoperative: monitoring of vital signs and anesthesia
  • Postoperative: monitoring of vital signs, pain, and wound healing
• Nursing process:
  • Assessment: identify potential risks and complications
  • Planning: develop a plan to prevent complications
  • Implementation: implement interventions to prevent complications
  • Evaluation: monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions

This quiz covers the causes, effects, and treatment of blunt tissue injuries, sprains, strains, and fractures. It also explores the fracture healing process, immobilization methods, and complications like compartment syndrome. Additionally, it delves into the role of nursing assessment and care in the perioperative experience.