Question

The nurse is caring for a 35 year old father of three young children who has experienced a compound fracture femur as a result of a work-related incident. He has expressed great concern over both his physical recovery and his long-term ability to work again. This has affected both his emotional status and his sleeping patterns. The nurse's most immediate concern is that:

A. The client needs medication to prevent depression
B. The lack of appropriate rest will affect his healing process
C. An occupational therapy consult should be ordered to help him regain his ability to return to this job
D. A psychiatric consult should be ordered to help the client deal with his various emotional concerns

Answer 1

The nurse's most immediate concern should be ensuring that the patient gets appropriate rest to aid in the healing process, as sleep disruptions can severely impair recovery. Taking precedence over concerns about depression or job functionality, the nurse must focus on physical healing and preventing immediate, potentially life-threatening complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's most immediate concern for a 35-year-old father who has suffered a compound fracture of the femur is that the lack of appropriate rest will affect his healing process. Rest is crucial for recovery, as the body needs energy to heal, and sleep is when most healing occurs. When the body is at rest, it can focus resources on repairing and rebuilding tissues, including managing inflammation and responding to injury. Continued sleep disruption can impair this process and may lead to prolonged recovery time. Therefore, ensuring appropriate rest is fundamental before addressing his other concerns such as depression, job-related abilities, and emotional status.

It is also important to recognize that a compound fracture, especially of the femur, can pose significant risks if not managed properly. Immobility during the healing process can lead to serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pressure sores, and infections. These complications are particularly dangerous and could be life-threatening, highlighting the importance of effective nursing care and monitoring.

It should be noted that while the patient's emotional status and future work concerns are important and need addressing, the physical healing and prevention of immediate complications take precedence in the acute care setting. Once the patient is stabilized and recovery is well-managed, consults with occupational therapy and psychiatry can be valuable in addressing long-term functionality and emotional wellbeing.