Fractures

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Bone break from trauma, stress, osteoporosis, or pathologic weakness.
• Bone integrity is disrupted, causing pain, swelling, bleeding, and impaired function.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess neurovascular status distal to injury: pulses, color, warmth, movement, sensation, pain.
• Immobilize and elevate as ordered.
• Monitor pain not relieved by medication or position change.

Complications

• Compartment syndrome
• Fat embolism
• Infection if open
• DVT

NCLEX cues

• The 5 Ps plus pain.
• Neurovascular checks are repeated.

Memory hooks

• Fracture priority is circulation and nerves below.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.

Review notes

• Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.