Question

The nurse is preparing communication for a provider. The client is experiencing acute pain greater than the severity of the fracture. Distal to the injury, he is experiencing a "pins and needles" sensation. The pulse is weak and thready but is bounding on all unaffected extremities, what emergent condition does the nurse suspect?

A) Compartment syndrome
B) Deep vein thrombosis
C) Neuropathy
D) Phantom limb pain

Answer 1

The nurse suspects Compartment syndrome because of the acute pain disproportionate to the fracture severity, pins and needles sensation, and weak pulse distal to the injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing Compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is increased pressure within a closed muscle space in the body, which can compromise blood flow and tissue perfusion. The key symptoms that point to this diagnosis in this scenario are the acute pain that is disproportionate to the fracture, the sensation of pins and needles (paresthesias), and a weak and thready pulse distal to the injury. The fact that the pulse is described as bounding in the unaffected extremities further contrasts the affected limb's compromised vascular supply.