Orthopedic Nurse Certification Exam
Name 2 biological, 3 extrinsic, and 1 behavioral factor that can predispose a patient to a
fracture.✔✔Biological:
1) Age: bone structure becomes less dense/more susceptible to injury
2) Type of bone involved: some are better equipped to handle difference stresses and forces without
injury
Extrinsic:
1) Amount of force applied
2) Angle of force applied
3) Duration of force
Behavioral:
1) Participating in adrenalin-seeking activities such as skydiving, rock-climbing, motor cross
Describe nursing instructions that may be given to a patient in a cast.✔✔1) Cast should be kept dry.
2) Monitor the skin areas at the end of the cast.
3) Never stick anything into or under the cast to scratch or itch.
4) Alert medical care in case of tightness or increasing pain, numbness, color change, or temperature
change in areas of distal ends of cast.
5) Follow up if cast gets loose or cracks.
What is the basic anatomy of a long bone?✔✔Typically has two main components:
1) Diaphysis - makes up long shaft of bone. Outer portion is made of compact bone. Inner layer is made
of marrow.
2) Epiphyses - set at either end of long bone. Outer layer is compact bone and inner core is spongy bone.
Periosteum - membrane that lines both externally. - contains supply of nerve fibers, lymph, blood
vessels
Give examples of tapping fracture and penetrating fracture.✔✔1) Tapping - sustained from a small force
to a concentrated area. Bone will absorb this force - may or may not be mild soft tissue display of injury.
