Question

A nurse is assessing for compartment syndrome in a client who has a short leg cast. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of this condition?

A) Warm and pink extremity.
B) Decreased sensation.
C) Capillary refill of 2 seconds.
D) Pain relieved with elevation.

Answer 1

Decreased sensation (B) is the correct answer, as it is a manifestation of compartment syndrome, a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to nerve and muscle cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B) Decreased sensation. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when there's a large amount of pressure inside a muscle compartment. This pressure can decrease blood flow, preventing nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells. Compartment syndrome can develop from internal bleeding or swelling after an injury, such as having a short leg cast.

Options A) and C) are unlikely to be signs of compartment syndrome because a warm and pink extremity, as well as a capillary refill of 2 seconds, both suggest normal blood flow. Option D) is also not indicative of compartment syndrome because pain that is not relieved by elevation is more characteristic of the condition. Instead, a manifestation of compartment syndrome is often pain that is out of proportion to the injury and not relieved with elevation, alongside decreased sensation due to nerve compression and ischemia.

Decreased sensation is a common symptom of compartment syndrome, and nurses should promptly assess for other symptoms such as severe pain, paleness of the skin, severe swelling, and muscle weakness to confirm the condition and facilitate timely treatment.