NUR 118: Mobility, Fractures, and Osteoporosis Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the pathophysiology, clinical classifications, manifestations, diagnostic markers, emergency complications, and medical-surgical nursing management of immobility, bone fractures, and osteoporosis.

Atelectasis

The collapse of the alveoli (grape-like clusters in the lungs) where they stick together, preventing adequate surface area for respiratory gas exchange as a complication of immobility.

Renal Calculi

Kidney stones formed when urinary stasis from prolonged immobility allows minerals and electrolytes, particularly calcium, to precipitate and crystallize; approximately $80\%$ of renal calculi are calcium-based.

Open (Compound) Fracture

A bone fracture in which the bone fragments break through the protective skin barrier and protrude externally, significantly elevating the risk of contamination and osteomyelitis.

Avulsion Fracture

A type of fracture characterized by the physical action of pulling or tearing away of a bone fragment from its main body, often caused by strong ligamentous or tendinous traction.

Comminuted Fracture

A fracture pattern where the bone smashes and shatters into multiple small fragments, commonly resulting from high-impact trauma such as falls from significant heights.

Compression Fracture

A fracture caused by axial loading that collapses bone tissue, frequently occurring in the vertebrae of older adults with reduced bone density following ground-level falls.

Depressed Fracture

A fracture pattern where broken bone fragments are driven inwardly, typically seen in skull injuries caused by falling objects or blunt cranial trauma.

Greenstick Fracture

An incomplete fracture in which one side of the bone bends and splinters while the other side remains intact, commonly observed in pediatric patients with developing, pliable bones.

Oblique Fracture

A fracture line that extends diagonally at an angled plane across the longitudinal axis of the bone.

Spiral Fracture

A fracture caused by twisting forces applied in opposite directions along a bone; frequently seen in sports involving cleat pivoting, or suspected as an indicator of physical child abuse when located in pediatric upper extremities.

Impacted Fracture

A fracture where opposing driving forces push the fractured bone ends directly into each other, telescoping the fragments together.

Crepitus

A distinct grating or crackling sound and tactile sensation produced by the friction of fractured bone ends rubbing against each other, also perceptible during CPR chest compressions.

Avascular Necrosis

The death and deterioration of bone tissue caused by compromised, deficient, or completely interrupted vascular perfusion to the affected region.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

A severe, chronic post-fracture complication characterized by persistent neuropathic pain described as burning, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensations in the affected extremity.

Malunion

The improper or misaligned healing of a fractured bone resulting from inadequate immobilization or lack of corrective alignment during the recovery process.

Nonunion

The permanent failure of fractured bone segments to unite or heal, leaving an ununited bone defect indefinitely.

Rhabdomyolysis

The acute breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle tissue following prolonged immobilization (such as being stranded on the floor post-fall), which releases myoglobin and creatine phosphokinase into circulation and risks acute kidney injury.

CSM Assessment

A localized neurovascular check distal to an injury assessing Circulation (capillary refill, peripheral pulses), Sensation (response to light touch), and Movement (voluntary motor activity).

RICE Protocol

An acronym representing standard conservative musculoskeletal trauma interventions: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF)

A surgical procedure used to reduce and stabilize complex or displaced fractures (frequently hip fractures) using internal hardware including pins, screws, and metal plates.

Acute Compartment Syndrome

A limb-threatening emergency occurring when elevated pressure within a confined muscular fascial compartment restricts capillary perfusion, risking irreversible neuromuscular damage within $4$ to $8\,\text{hours}$.

The Six Ps

The classic clinical manifestations of acute compartment syndrome: Pain (unrelieved by opioids), Paresthesia, Paralysis, Pressure, Pallor, and Pulselessness.

Fasciotomy

A surgical decompression procedure where constricting fascia is incised and left open with wet-to-dry dressings to relieve compartmental pressure, followed by debridement and delayed closure $3$ to $5\,\text{days}$ later.

Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)

A systemic complication typically occurring $12$ to $24\,\text{hours}$ post long-bone fracture or orthopedic surgery (such as arthroplasty), where circulating fat globules occlude microvasculature, leading to hypoxemia, dyspnea, tachycardia, and altered mental status.

Petechiae

Pinpoint cutaneous hemorrhages appearing across the upper trunk, chest, neck, and axilla that represent a late, hallmark diagnostic sign of systemic fat embolization.

Osteoporosis

A systemic metabolic bone disease where bone demineralization and osteoclastic resorption exceed osteoblastic bone formation, resulting in porous, fragile, and brittle bone architecture.

Peak Bone Mineral Density

The maximum bone mass attained in human skeletal development, which naturally peaks between the ages of $25$ and $30\,\text{years}$ before age-related decline begins.

Dowager's Hump

A progressive spinal kyphosis and curvature deformity of the upper dorsal spine resulting from multiple vertebral compression fractures and loss of height in osteoporosis.

Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan

A primary radiologic diagnostic screening tool used in secondary prevention to quantify bone mineral density and assess skeletal fragility.

Bisphosphonates

A pharmacologic class of bone resorption inhibitors (such as alendronate) that must be administered on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, requiring the patient to remain upright for at least $30\,\text{minutes}$ post-dose to prevent severe GI irritation.

Teriparatide

A recombinant parathyroid hormone prototype medication administered subcutaneously to stimulate osteoblastic activity in osteoporosis, which carries a risk of inducing orthostatic hypotension.