Nursing NotesMy Student Support SystemFRACTURE-
A fracture is the medical term for a broken
bone. It is defined as a break in continuity of the bone tissue.
CAUSES OF FRACTURE-
There are three common
causes of bone fractures:
Trauma: This
includes direct force such as falls, twisting injuries, sports injuries, car
accidents, or even fights. Indirect force such as fracture of clavicle after
falling on stretched hand. Or sometimes
due to strong muscular action.
Medical conditions : This includes
osteoporosis, infections, osteogenesis imperfecta, chronic steroid use, or
tumors that occur in bones. Due to these disorders bone may become week and
bone may break easily.
Overuse injuries: Commonly seen in athletes, stress fractures (non-displaced hairline cracks in
bone) result from repetitive motions and repeated stresses on the bone.
TYPES (CLASSIFICATION) OF
FRACTURE-
There are 7 types of fractures
1. Simple fracture/closed fracture
When bone is fractured but there is no damage or
injury to the tissue adjescent to the bone and skin is intact than this type
of fracture is known as simple or
closesd fracture. It can be transverse spiral or fissuresd.
2. Compound fracture/open fracture
When fracture is associated with skin breakdown or
wound formation which may lead to infection than it is known as
compound or open fracture.
3. Complicated fracture
When fracture is associated with injury to and
vital/important organ such as brain, spinal cord, lung, liver, spleen, and
kidney etc. and is associated with dislocation from a joint above or below of
the fracture site, than it is known as complicated fracture.
4. Comminuted fracture
When fracture results in multiple fragments of bone
than it is known as comminuted fracture.
5. Impacted fracture
When fractured parts of bones are driven into each
other due to force than it is known as impacted fracture.
6. Greenstick fracture
When the fracture is only at one side of the bone
while another side is intact than this is known as greenstick fracture. It
occur normally in children bellow 12 years of age.
7. Depressed fracture
When the Brocken bone driven inwards than it is known
as depressed fracture. Normally it is seen in skull fractures.
Sign and symptoms of fracture-
- Swelling or bruising over a bone part.
- Tenderness or discomfort is felt on applying
pressure to the affected part.
- Deformity of an arm or leg
- Crepitus may be felt in some cases.
- An inability to bear weight on the affected foot,
ankle, or leg
- Loss of function in the injured area
- In open fractures, bone protruding from the skin
First aid in fracture-
If you suspect that
someone has a broken bone, provide first-aid treatment and help them get
professional care:
- Do
not move unnecessarily: client
should not be moved from the spot until the fractured part is immobilized
or unless the life is in immediate danger or medical help arrived.
- Stop
any bleeding: If
they’re bleeding, elevate and apply pressure to the wound using a sterile
bandage, a clean cloth, or a clean piece of clothing.
- Immobilize
the injured area: If
you suspect they’ve broken a bone in their neck or back, help them stay as
still as possible. If you suspect they’ve broken a bone in one of their
limbs, immobilize the area using a splint or sling. While applying splint we
should take care that splint should be long enough to immobilize the joint
above and below the fracture and should be sufficiently firm and wide. It
should be well padded so that skin injury can be prevented. If proper
splint is not available than we can use any available material such as
umbrella, walking stick, broom piece of wood or cardboard.
- Apply
cold to the area: Wrap
an ice pack or bag of ice cubes in a piece of cloth and apply it to the
injured area for up to 10 minutes at a time.
- Treat them for shock: Help them get into a comfortable position, encourage
them to rest, and reassure them. Cover them with a blanket or clothing to
keep them warm.
- Get professional help: Call 112 or help them get to the emergency
department for professional care.
- First aid in special case: If skull is fractured client should not be
moved as it may harm brain. Do not give anything to eat or drink and
maintain same position while transporting.
- This principle is also applied while providing
first aid in fracture of cervical vertebrae.
- If spine fracture is suspected than client should
be kept in spine position of flat hard surface.and transported to hospital
as early as possible.
Nursing NotesMy Student Support System
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