Hairline fracture of rib

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in Personal support worker.

What should I do? 6 months ago my 96 years old resident fell while I was providing him care and got hairline fracture of the rib.should I still get him checked with x-ray. I am worried he ll get pneumonia and die.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Consult the patient's physician. If it has been 6 months, what is your concern now?

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

How do you know s/he had a fracture if there was no x-ray?

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Specializes in Personal support worker.

They did xray 6 months ago .Now his son says there is no point in doing another xray as there is no treatment for hairline fracture.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Is the MD wanting another x-ray for some reason? If the MD is requesting it but pt/family dont want it that is their right, and if properly documented then it shouldnt be a problem. It is a patients right to not get a test/procedure etc no matter what we think about it as long as they understand the risks involved.

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Specializes in Personal support worker.

They did xray 6 months ago .Now his son says there is no point in doing another xray as there is no treatment for hairline fracture. I just feel guilty that he got hurt while I was doing his care. I am worried if he still has that crack he may catch pneumonia

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Sounds like you do in home care (non medical) and the pts son is in charge of his/her care. If so, you have made your concerns known and it is up to them how to proceed. I would not worry yourself about this situation any further. People fall and especially elderly people, the son obviously doesnt hold you responsible if you are still working there. The son said there is not a treatment bc usually the fracture will heal itself and the treatment they used to use (wrapping with ace etc) actually caused pneumonia in many cases. Sounds like you are a caring person but you just need to realize that sometimes these things happen and let your self off the hook. Sounds like there is nothing to worry about any further. IMO it is highly unlikely the pt would get pneumonia 6mo after the fact.

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Specializes in Personal support worker.

He lives in the retirement home.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
19 hours ago, Lovely said:

He lives in the retirement home.

This doesn't change my previous opinion. Not sure what kind of retirement home but if it is an assisted living/SNF that there should be a Doctor overseeing all the pts. So either way, I wouldn't worry about it!

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