Name a common post-op complication of hip fracture.

Name a common post-op complication of hip fracture.

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Hypertension
• C. Jaundice
• D. Diabetes

Answer: (A)

Postoperative pulmonary issues are a common concern after hip fracture surgery. Immobility, pain, and anesthesia can lead to shallow breathing and poor clearance of secretions, which sets the stage for atelectasis and, if unchecked, pneumonia. Older patients are especially at risk because of reduced cough reflex and mucociliary clearance. Preventing this complication focuses on keeping the lungs moving: encourage deep breathing and coughing, use incentive spirometry, promote as much early mobilization as possible, ensure effective pain control so the patient can take deep breaths, and provide respiratory therapy or chest physiotherapy if needed. While conditions like hypertension, jaundice, or diabetes may affect overall health or recovery, they are not the immediate postoperative pulmonary complication that hip fracture patients commonly face.

Postoperative pulmonary issues are a common concern after hip fracture surgery. Immobility, pain, and anesthesia can lead to shallow breathing and poor clearance of secretions, which sets the stage for atelectasis and, if unchecked, pneumonia. Older patients are especially at risk because of reduced cough reflex and mucociliary clearance. Preventing this complication focuses on keeping the lungs moving: encourage deep breathing and coughing, use incentive spirometry, promote as much early mobilization as possible, ensure effective pain control so the patient can take deep breaths, and provide respiratory therapy or chest physiotherapy if needed. While conditions like hypertension, jaundice, or diabetes may affect overall health or recovery, they are not the immediate postoperative pulmonary complication that hip fracture patients commonly face.