A patient had an open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF)for a compound fracture of the left tibia and has been placed in a long leg cast.The assessments by the nurse are: left foot warm/pink,pedal pulse weaker than right,capillary refill 3 seconds,and small 1 cm area of blood on cast.What should the nurse do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The assessments indicate that the patient's left foot is warm and pink with a capillary refill of 3 seconds, which are within normal limits after such a procedure. A small 1 cm area of blood on the cast can be expected after an ORIF procedure. The slightly weaker pedal pulse could be due to the surgery or the cast, but there are no immediate signs of compartment syndrome or significant hemorrhage.

A Patient Had an Open Reduction with Internal Fixation (ORIF)for