Open fractures
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Musculoskeletalhigh priorityneeds review
Open fractures
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Broken bone communicates with outside environment through skin wound.
- High infection risk plus bleeding and soft-tissue injury.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics by class | Early antibiotics may be ordered to prevent/treat contamination. |
Nursing actions
- Cover with sterile dressing and immobilize.
- Assess neurovascular status and bleeding.
- Prepare tetanus/antibiotic/surgical pathway as ordered.
Complications
- Osteomyelitis
- Sepsis
- Compartment syndrome
- Neurovascular injury
NCLEX cues
- Do not push bone back in.
- Sterile cover and neurovascular checks.
Memory hooks
- Open fracture is fracture plus infection risk.
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.