Practice Question
The nurse is caring for a preschool child with a cast applied recently for a fractured tibia. Which assessment findings indicate possible compartment syndrome? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Inability to move extremity
Rationale:
🟣 Inability to move extremity
♦️Loss of movement is a late but serious sign of neurovascular compromise in compartment syndrome.
♦️It indicates that increasing pressure within the closed fascial space is impairing nerve and muscle function.
♦️Immediate action is required to prevent permanent disability or loss of limb.
🟣 Severe pain not relieved by analgesics
♦️Unrelenting pain, especially pain that is disproportionate to the injury or not relieved by opioids, is a hallmark sign of compartment syndrome.
♦️This occurs because of ischemia from restricted blood flow, causing tissue hypoxia and nerve compression.
♦️Pain is often worsened with passive stretching of the muscles in the affected compartment.
🟣 Tingling of extremity
♦️Tingling or paresthesia reflects early nerve compression and ischemia within the affected compartment.
♦️It signals that sensory nerves are being compromised before motor function is completely lost.
♦️Without intervention, this can progress to numbness and paralysis.
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This question is from Custom: NSG2530_Exam3_Summer25_Wednesday which contains 60 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 5