Question

Read chapter 40: Musculoskeletal Systems Function

The nurse in the outpatient orthopedic clinic is reviewing the medical records of several patients being seen in the clinic today. In the most recent note by the provider, the nurse reads the following:

'A 67-year-old, moderately obese woman examined today for increasing back and left shoulder pain. Limited circumduction of left arm noted in comparison with right arm. Strength of left arm is less than right, with less muscle definition in the left arm. Examination of back indicates significant kyphosis, and the patient states that she is ‘shrinking.’ Bone density testing of the hip is ordered.”

1. How does the nurse interpret “limited circumduction”
2. When the patient arrives, the nurse correlates the “kyphosis” with what physical finding? What causes kyphosis in the older adult?
3. How should the nurse explain the patient’s decreasing height?
4. What is the rationale for ordering bone density testing of the hip in this patient?

Answer 1

1. Circumduction is the movement of the distal end of the limb in a circular motion while the proximal ebd remains fixed . In case of old age peoples the circumduction is unable to do. Because their capabilities to do it be lose . The nurse should interprets that the patient is unable to move the arm in circular motion.

2. Kyphosis is a condition of thoracic spine. It will result in creating a forward curvature of the back that means thoracic spine. This is occuring due to the presence of thinning of the bones by osteoporosis

3 . The nurse explains about height decreases is , in older people can develop osteoporosis that can result in decreasing height. Osteoporosis is a condition of abnormal excessive bone loss.

4. The bone density test is help to find bone mineral density. It help to measure people with osteoporosis ( have a greater chance of fracturing the bones of hip and spine). And then it cause serious problems . And it help to measure the strength of your bones .