PATIENT EDUCATION: BONE FRACTURE INJURIES

Understanding Bone Fracture Injuries

• What it is: A fracture is a break or crack in a bone.
  
  

• Types of injury:
  
  

  • Closed fracture: Bone is broken but the skin is intact.
    
    

  • Open (compound) fracture: Bone breaks through the skin.
    
    

• Location and severity: Fractures can occur in any bone. Severity may be mild (small crack), moderate, or severe (bone broken in multiple pieces).
  
  

• Cause/risk factors:
  
  

  • Falls, accidents, sports injuries, osteoporosis (weak bones), or trauma.
    
    

Symptoms to Watch For

• Pain, swelling, bruising, or difficulty moving the area.
  
  

• Signs of infection (for open fractures): Redness spreading, warmth, pus, fever.
  
  

• Delayed complications: Bone may not heal properly, stiffness, or muscle weakness.
  
  

Post-Hospitalization Information

• Follow discharge instructions carefully.
  
  

• Attend follow-up appointments for X-rays and checkups.
  
  

Home Management & Recovery

• Pain management: Take prescribed medications as directed.
  
  

• Mobility: Use crutches, walkers, or braces as advised. Avoid putting weight on the broken bone until cleared.
  
  

• Wound care: Keep the area clean and dry. Follow your doctor’s orders exactly. Contact your home health nurse or doctor if the wound looks infected.
  
  

• Rest and rehabilitation: Allow time for healing. Perform gentle exercises only if recommended.
  
  

Prevention of Complications

• Infection prevention: Wash hands, keep dressings clean, avoid dirty water.
  
  

• Fall prevention: Remove trip hazards, use handrails, maintain good lighting.
  
  

• Monitoring for delayed symptoms: Watch for new pain, swelling, or redness.
  
  

When to Contact Home Health vs ER

• Call home health or doctor: Mild swelling, minor pain, questions about care.
  
  

• Go to ER immediately: Severe pain, broken bone poking through skin, heavy bleeding, sudden swelling, fever, or loss of movement.
  
  

Patient Homework/Assessment: Bone Fracture Injuries (20 True/False)

1. TRUE or FALSE: A fracture is a type of broken bone.
   
   

2. TRUE or FALSE: Closed fractures break through the skin.
   
   

3. TRUE or FALSE: Open fractures have a risk of infection.
   
   

4. TRUE or FALSE: Only the leg bones can break.
   
   

5. TRUE or FALSE: Falls are a common cause of fractures.
   
   

6. TRUE or FALSE: Mild fractures usually do not hurt at all.
   
   

7. TRUE or FALSE: Swelling and bruising are signs of a fracture.
   
   

8. TRUE or FALSE: Redness and pus may indicate infection.
   
   

9. TRUE or FALSE: You should put full weight on a broken bone immediately.
   
   

10. TRUE or FALSE: Following your doctor’s orders helps the bone heal properly.
    
    

11. TRUE or FALSE: Gentle exercises may be recommended after a fracture.
    
    

12. TRUE or FALSE: Infection prevention includes washing hands and keeping wounds clean.
    
    

13. TRUE or FALSE: Removing trip hazards at home can help prevent falls.
    
    

14. TRUE or FALSE: Mild pain after a fracture is normal.
    
    

15. TRUE or FALSE: Fever after an open fracture may be a sign to call the doctor.
    
    

16. TRUE or FALSE: Bone fractures always heal in less than a week.
    
    

17. TRUE or FALSE: Using crutches or a brace can protect the healing bone.
    
    

18. TRUE or FALSE: Ignoring a fracture will not cause any long-term problems.
    
    

19. TRUE or FALSE: You should watch for new swelling or redness even after leaving the hospital.
    
    

20. TRUE or FALSE: Severe pain or a bone sticking out requires an ER visit immediately.
    
    

Answer Key with Explanations

1. TRUE – A fracture is a break in the bone.
   
   

2. FALSE – Closed fractures do not break the skin; open fractures do.
   
   

3. TRUE – Open fractures can lead to infection if not treated.
   
   

4. FALSE – Any bone in the body can fracture.
   
   

5. TRUE – Falls are a frequent cause of fractures.
   
   

6. FALSE – Mild fractures can still cause pain and discomfort.
   
   

7. TRUE – Swelling and bruising are common signs.
   
   

8. TRUE – Redness, warmth, or pus may indicate infection.
   
   

9. FALSE – Do not put weight on a broken bone unless advised.
   
   

10. TRUE – Following instructions helps proper healing.
    
    

11. TRUE – Gentle exercises may improve mobility.
    
    

12. TRUE – Cleanliness prevents infection.
    
    

13. TRUE – Removing hazards reduces the risk of falls.
    
    

14. TRUE – Some mild pain is expected during healing.
    
    

15. TRUE – Fever may indicate infection; call your doctor.
    
    

16. FALSE – Healing can take weeks to months.
    
    

17. TRUE – Crutches or braces prevent further injury.
    
    

18. FALSE – Ignoring fractures can lead to poor healing or complications.
    
    

19. TRUE – Delayed symptoms may indicate problems.
    
    

20. TRUE – Severe injuries need immediate ER care.
    
    

PATIENT EDUCATION: AMPUTATION INJURIES

Understanding Amputation Injuries

• What it is: Amputation is the removal of a body part, usually due to injury, infection, or disease.
  
  

• Cause/risk factors: Diabetes, severe infection, trauma, poor blood flow, or cancer in the limb.
  
  

Symptoms to Monitor

• Persistent pain, unusual bleeding, swelling, fever, or infection.
  
  

• Keep a daily log of symptoms to track changes.
  
  

Treatment Overview

• Surgery to remove the damaged part.
  
  

• Pain management, wound care, physical therapy, and sometimes prosthetics.
  
  

• Monitor for side effects of medications or pain medications.
  
  

Nutrition and Hydration

• Eat foods high in protein, vitamins, and calories to help healing.
  
  

• Stay hydrated; watch for signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness).
  
  

Activity and Safety

• Gentle exercise, like walking or stretching, is encouraged.
  
  

• Practice fall prevention, especially if weak or dizzy.
  
  

• Rest and pace activities to prevent fatigue.
  
  

Infection Prevention

• Wash hands regularly.
  
  

• Avoid crowds if immunity is low.
  
  

• Watch for fever, redness, or swelling and report immediately.
  
  

Emotional and Mental Health

• Emotional stress is normal.
  
  

• Seek counseling, support groups, or spiritual guidance.
  
  

• Talk openly with caregivers about feelings and concerns.
  
  

Follow-Up and Self-Care

• Attend all appointments and lab tests.
  
  

• Follow instructions for self-exams if recommended.
  
  

• Recognize urgent symptoms: sudden swelling, shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding.
  
  

When to Call Home Health or ER

• Call home health or doctor: Mild swelling, routine questions, wound care guidance.
  
  

• Go to ER immediately: Severe bleeding, infection signs, sudden swelling, shortness of breath, or severe pain.
  
  

Patient Homework/Assessment: Amputation Injuries (20 True/False)

1. TRUE or FALSE: Amputation is the removal of a body part.
   
   

2. TRUE or FALSE: Only injuries cause amputations.
   
   

3. TRUE or FALSE: Diabetes can increase the risk of amputation.
   
   

4. TRUE or FALSE: Persistent pain after surgery is normal but should be reported.
   
   

5. TRUE or FALSE: Swelling and unusual bleeding are warning signs.
   
   

6. TRUE or FALSE: Daily symptom tracking is helpful for recovery.
   
   

7. TRUE or FALSE: High-protein foods help the body heal after amputation.
   
   

8. TRUE or FALSE: Dehydration does not affect healing.
   
   

9. TRUE or FALSE: Gentle exercise is important after amputation.
   
   

10. TRUE or FALSE: Fall prevention is unnecessary after amputation.
    
    

11. TRUE or FALSE: Handwashing helps prevent infection.
    
    

12. TRUE or FALSE: Crowded places may be risky if immunity is low.
    
    

13. TRUE or FALSE: Emotional stress is a normal part of recovery.
    
    

14. TRUE or FALSE: Support groups can help patients cope.
    
    

15. TRUE or FALSE: Skipping follow-up appointments is safe if feeling okay.
    
    

16. TRUE or FALSE: Sudden swelling or uncontrolled bleeding requires ER care.
    
    

17. TRUE or FALSE: Prosthetics may help improve mobility.
    
    

18. TRUE or FALSE: Rest and pacing activities prevent fatigue.
    
    

19. TRUE or FALSE: Minor changes in appetite or weight should be ignored.
    
    

20. TRUE or FALSE: Reporting warning signs promptly helps prevent complications.
    
    

Answer Key with Explanations

1. TRUE – Amputation removes a body part.
   
   

2. FALSE – Amputations can also result from disease or poor blood flow.
   
   

3. TRUE – Diabetes can cause poor circulation and infection risk.
   
   

4. TRUE – Pain is normal, but report persistent or severe pain.
   
   

5. TRUE – Swelling and unusual bleeding may indicate complications.
   
   

6. TRUE – Tracking symptoms helps early detection of problems.
   
   

7. TRUE – Protein supports tissue repair and healing.
   
   

8. FALSE – Dehydration slows healing and can cause complications.
   
   

9. TRUE – Gentle exercise promotes circulation and strength.
   
   

10. FALSE – Fall prevention is important, especially with weakness.
    
    

11. TRUE – Handwashing reduces infection risk.
    
    

12. TRUE – Crowded areas may increase infection risk if immunity is low.
    
    

13. TRUE – Emotional stress is expected; support is important.
    
    

14. TRUE – Support groups help with coping and motivation.
    
    

15. FALSE – Missing appointments can delay care and cause complications.
    
    

16. TRUE – Urgent symptoms require immediate ER care.
    
    

17. TRUE – Prosthetics aid mobility and independence.
    
    

18. TRUE – Rest and pacing prevent fatigue and support recovery.
    
    

19. FALSE – Changes in appetite or weight may indicate complications and should be reported.
    
    

20. TRUE – Early reporting helps prevent serious complications.

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911