Question

The elderly client is admitted to the emergency room. Which symptom is the client with a fractured hip most likely to exhibit? A. Pain B. Disalignment C. Cool extremity D. Absence of pedal pulses

Short answer

Answer: A. Pain

Step-by-step solution

Evaluate Option A - Pain

A fractured hip is a break in the upper part of the thigh bone (femur), which can be quite painful. Elderly clients are at a higher risk for hip fractures due to decreased bone density and muscle strength. Pain is a common symptom of a fractured hip and may be present immediately or develop over time.

Evaluate Option B - Disalignment

When a hip is fractured, the broken bones may not stay in their normal position. This can cause disalignment, such as the affected leg appearing shorter or longer than the other leg, rotated outward or inward, or inability to move the leg in certain directions. It is a visible sign of a fractured hip, but not all cases might show disalignment at first glance.

Evaluate Option C - Cool extremity

A cool extremity is often a sign of poor blood circulation, which is not a common symptom of a fractured hip. While a fracture can cause swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area, it is not likely to cause a cool extremity, especially when we consider that the circulation and nerve relationship to the fracture are intact.

Evaluate Option D - Absence of pedal pulses

Pedal pulses are the pulsations felt in the foot that demonstrate adequate blood circulation. An absence of pedal pulses would indicate a problem with blood circulation, which is not typically associated with a fractured hip. Thus, this symptom is not very likely to be exhibited by a client with a fractured hip.

Determine the most likely symptom

Considering the information provided in the analysis, the most likely symptom of a client with a fractured hip is: A. Pain