Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who had a femoral head fracture 24 hr ago and is in skin traction. The client reports shortness of breath and dyspnea. The nurse should suspect that the client has developed which of the following complications?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Fat embolism. Fat embolism can occur in clients with long bone fractures, like a femoral head fracture. Fat emboli can travel to the lungs leading to respiratory distress, shortness of breath, and dyspnea. This is a potential complication that can occur within the first 24-48 hours post-injury. Fat embolism is characterized by respiratory symptoms and can lead to hypoxia and respiratory failure.
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Airway obstruction typically presents with choking or difficulty swallowing, not specifically with shortness of breath and dyspnea.
B: Pneumonia would typically present with fever, productive cough, and chest pain, not sudden-onset shortness of breath.
C: Pneumothorax presents with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath due to air in the pleural space, not directly related to a femoral head fracture.
Overall, the key to this question is
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Airway obstruction typically presents with choking or difficulty swallowing, not specifically with shortness of breath and dyspnea.
B: Pneumonia would typically present with fever, productive cough, and chest pain, not sudden-onset shortness of breath.
C: Pneumothorax presents with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath due to air in the pleural space, not directly related to a femoral head fracture.
Overall, the key to this question is