Medicine

D. Ross

1991.3.1ORTHOPAEDIC NURSING

DOI: 10.1097/00006416-199103000-00007

tlooto Summary

The current literature on predisposing factors, pathophysiology (including systemic factors), assessments, various diagnostic methods, and treatments of patients at risk for, or encountering, acute compartment syndrome is reviewed.

Abstract

Orthopaedic nurses must be continually alert for the dreaded complication of fractures, acute compartment syndrome (ACS). This article reviews the current literature on predisposing factors, pathophysiology (including systemic factors), assessments, various diagnostic methods, and treatments of patients at risk for, or encountering, ACS. A nursing care plan including the pertinent nursing diagnoses for these patients is included, and nursing care before and after fasciotomy is outlined.

Citation format

ROSS, D. Acute compartment syndrome. ORTHOPAEDIC NURSING, 1991, 10: 33–38.