Question

A pediatric nurse is assisting with the care of a child diagnosed with fractured femur. what type of fracture would be the most likely to alert the nurse to the possibility of physical abuse?

Answer 1

Spiral fractures of the femur might be particularly suspicious for physical abuse in pediatric patients, especially when the child is non-ambulatory and there is no clear history of accidental trauma.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of pediatric healthcare, when evaluating a fracture in a child, certain types may raise suspicion of physical abuse. For example, fractures that are inconsistent with the child’s developmental stage, multiple fractures at various healing stages, unusual fracture patterns such as spiral or oblique fractures without a clear history of accidental trauma may alert a nurse or physician to the possibility of abuse. Fractured femurs in non-ambulatory children particularly raise suspicion, as these are weight-bearing bones and typically require significant force to break.

Spiral fractures, resulting from a twisting force, are often considered suggestive of non-accidental trauma in children, especially when no appropriate explanation is provided. It is crucial for nurses and other healthcare professionals to assess fractures carefully, considering the child’s medical history, the plausibility of the explanation given, and the fracture’s characteristics.