Compartment Syndrome: Nursing Interventions

This assignment focuses on Compartment Syndrome, a condition characterized by increased pressure within muscle compartments, leading to restricted blood flow and nerve damage. It details various types of compartment syndromes, their causes (like fractures or envenomation), and crucial nursing interventions. These include removing bandages/casts, administering antivenin, correcting anemia and hypertension, elevating the affected limb, and immobilizing fractured limbs in specific positions to alleviate pressure. The text emphasizes the importance of prompt medical attention to prevent muscle and nerve failure.

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Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome defines a condition in which there is a general painful swelling
accompanied by increased pressure inside a compartment to the extent that the supply of oxygen
and nutrients to the muscles and nerves by blood has been terminated. Muscles in the lower leg,
the forearm, and the other boy parts are normally enclosed by fibrous bands of tissues which
make up distinct compartments (Styf 2013, p. 697). The fibrous brand of tissues is characterized
by inflexibility and inability to stretch to accommodate the swelling. If the condition is not
medically attended to, the muscles and nerves may end up failing and thereby resulting in death.
Compartment syndrome is of various types including acute and chronic compartment
syndromes. Acute compartment syndrome develops after a minor injury for example following
fractures, heavy drinking, and an injury resulting in the crash of the arm or leg and from wearing
a right bandage (Nursing 2014, p. 568).
Nursing interventions
 Removal of all the bandages and casts: Removal of the casts helps in reducing the
swelling due to compartment pressure by about 30% thereby relieving the pain (Jagdeep
Nanchahal 2009, p. 489).
 Administration of antivenin: Most applicable in cases of envenomation by a snake and
may help in eliminating the chances of development of a compartment syndrome.
 Correction of acute anemia and relative hypertension are equally important in diverting
an impending acute compartment syndrome. In this intervention, nitric oxide is used.
 Placement of the affected limb at the same level as the heart in case the disease is
suspected to be developing (Nursing 2014, p. 184). This elevation helps in

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contraindication as it narrows the pressure gradient of the artery while lowering the flow
of the blood.
 In the case of tibial fracture, the lower leg and the ankle are immobilized in a slighter
plantar flexion position. This is done to reduce the deep posterior compartment pressure
while not increasing the anterior pressure (Styf 2013, p. 299).

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References
Jagdeep Nanchahal 2009, Standards for the Management of Open Fractures of the Lower Limb,
3rd edn, Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited, New York.
Nursing, RCO 2014, Peripheral Neurovascular Observations for Acute Limb Compartment
Syndrome: RCN Consensus Guidance, 4th edn, RCN, Royal.
Styf, J 2013, Compartment Syndromes: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Complications, 3rd edn, CRC
Press, Chicago.