A patient with a crushed forearm cannot get pain relief with opioid medications.The injury is swollen, cool, and cyanotic, with weak distal pulses.What should the nurse suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are classic for compartment syndrome, which occurs when increased pressure in a confined space (such as a compartment in the body) compromises the circulation and function of the tissues within that space. The lack of pain relief with opioids, along with the appearance of the injury and the weak distal pulses, all suggest that this patient may have compartment syndrome.

A Patient with a Crushed Forearm Cannot Get Pain Relief