Question

At what point following a fracture does the nurse need to most carefully evaluate the patient for the development of a fat embolism?

a. The first 2-3 hours.
b. The first 8 hours.
c. The first 24-48 hours.
d. For the first week following the injury.

Answer 1

The nurse should most carefully evaluate for a fat embolism within the first 24-48 hours after a fracture due to the risks arising from the clotting process and potential complications from immobility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse needs to most carefully evaluate the patient for the development of a fat embolism during the first 24-48 hours following a fracture. This time frame is critical as it is when the patient is most at risk due to the physiological processes that occur post-fracture. When a bone is fractured, blood from damaged vessels starts to clot and forms a fracture hematoma. The immobilization required during the healing process can lead to complications, including the formation of blood clots that may cause a fat embolism by lodging in the capillaries of the lungs.