A boy who has fractured his forearm is unable to extend his fingers.The nurse knows that this
A) is normal following this type of injury.
B) may indicate compartment syndrome.
C) may indicate fat embolism.
D) may indicate damage to the epiphyseal plate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Swelling causes pressure to rise within the immobilizing device leading to compartment syndrome.Signs include severe pain,often unrelieved by analgesics,and neurovascular impairment.It is not uncommon in the forearm,so the inability to extend the fingers may indicate compartment syndrome.This is not normal and indicates neurovascular compromise of some type.Paresthesia or numbness or loss of feeling can indicate a serious problem and can result in paralysis.The inability to extend the fingers often indicates neurovascular compromise.Fat embolism causes respiratory distress with hypoxia and respiratory acidosis.This is not related to damage to the epiphyseal plate.

A Boy Who Has Fractured His Forearm Is Unable to Extend