Question of the week January 16, 2019

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION | January 16, 2019

A patient has undergone ORIF of a fractured tibia. The PACU nurse notices that the patient’s toes are extremely edematous. The patient complains of increased pain unrelieved by analgesics. The PACU nurse should:

• 1. continue to administer analgesics until an effect is noted.
• 2. apply ice and elevate extremity.
• 3. suspect compartment syndrome and notify the physician immediately.
• 4. attribute the patient’s condition to the surgical procedure.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain: Physiological Needs

Content Area: Develop and implement effective multidisciplinary perianesthesia plan of care that addresses measures to prevent complications