What is the most important assessment in fracture care?

C: X-ray is the most definitive diagnostic tool in assessing for fracture as it allows visualization of the affected part. A: Blood studies are not used in a patient with fracture.

How do you assess a fractured rib?

Diagnosis

1. X-ray. Using low levels of radiation, X-rays make bones visible.
2. CT scan. This often can uncover rib fractures that X-rays might miss.
3. MRI. This can be used to look at the soft tissues and organs around the ribs to determine if there’s damage.
4. Bone scan.

What are the initial assessment priorities for a patient with multiple trauma?

The initial goal in managing the trauma patient is to provide adequate oxygenation and perfusion. This goal is achieved by approaching assessment and treatment so that abnormalities in the injured patient that affect oxygenation and perfusion take top priority.

How do you assess a fracture?

Diagnostic testing for fractures may include:

1. x-ray.
2. computed tomography scan (CT, CAT scan)
3. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Some fractures (such as stress fractures) don’t show up on an X-ray until a few weeks after the bone starts hurting. An MRI can pick up smaller fractures before they get worse.
4. bone scan.

Can you palpate a broken rib?

Palpation of the chest wall may identify some rib fractures. Some clinicians feel clinical evaluation is adequate in healthy patients with minor trauma.

What are the complications of a broken rib?

Key complications associated with rib fracture include pain, hemothorax, pneumothorax, extrapleural hematoma, pulmonary contusion, pulmonary laceration, acute vascular injury, and abdominal solid-organ injury.

What is the primary goal of using the trauma patient assessment with every trauma patient?

The purpose of the primary survey is to identify life-threatening injuries and initiate appropriate resuscitation. A simple mnemonic, ABCDE, is used to guide the steps of the primary survey.

What is the main purpose for doing patient assessment?

The goal of the primary assessment is to create a general impression: whether the patient appears stable, potentially unstable or obviously unstable. Over time this ability to determine if a patient is “big sick” or “little sick” will serve a provider well.

How are injuries assessed?

The injury evaluation process must include several key components—namely, taking a history of the current condition, visually inspecting the area for noticeable abnormalities, physically palpat- ing the region for abnormalities, and completing functional and stress tests.