Question

The nurse is completing a neurovascular assessment on the patient with a tibial fracture and a cast. The feet are pulseless, pale, and cool. The patient says they are numb. What should the nurse suspect is occurring?

a. Paresthesia
b. Pitting edema
c. Poor venous return
d. Compartment syndrome

Answer 1

The nurse should suspect compartment syndrome due to the patient's symptoms of pulseless, pale, and cool feet with numbness. Compartment syndrome is a condition characterized by increased pressure within a closed space, such as a cast, leading to restricted blood flow and nerve function in the affected limb.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should suspect compartment syndrome is occurring due to the patient's symptoms. Compartment syndrome is a condition characterized by increased pressure within a closed space, such as a cast, leading to compression and ischemia of the tissues. In this case, the pulseless, pale, and cool feet, along with numbness, indicate restricted blood flow and nerve function in the affected limb.