The nurse is caring for a patient with extensive trauma to the lower extremities.The nurse understands that patient is at risk for compartment syndrome.Which findings would the nurse expect to note as evidence of this complication?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clinical manifestations of compartment syndrome include obvious swelling and tightness of an extremity,paresis,and pain of the affected extremity.Diminished pulses and decreased capillary refill do not reliably identify compartment syndrome because they may be intact until after irreversible changes have occurred.Elevated intracompartmental pressures confirm the diagnosis.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Extensive Trauma