The nurse understands when collecting data on a patient that the appearance of a petechial rash and respiratory distress 3 days after a fracture of the femur are indications of which of these complications?

Question

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The appearance of a petechial rash and respiratory distress 3 days after a fracture of the femur is indicative of a fat embolism, which is a serious complication that can occur when fat droplets from bone marrow enter the bloodstream and become lodged in the lungs or other organs. Infection, pleural effusion, and pneumonia may also occur as complications following a fracture, but they are not typically associated with the specific symptoms described in the question.

The Nurse Understands When Collecting Data on a Patient That