Reference no: EM132408436

Scenario: Hairline Fracture of the Calcaneus

An 83 year old women is in the clinic with pain and swelling of the right foot that began after a fall two weeks prior. An x-ray shows a hairline fracture of the calcaneus bone. She has been a patient at your clinic for several years. Her social history states that she lives alone, is very independent, drives, and completes all activities of daily living for herself, which includes cooking, cleaning and gardening. She has no signs of any of mental disability such as dementia or Alzheimer disease. She is cheerful and has always complied with the physician's treatment plans in the past.

Treatment Plan:

• The physician plans to place a boot on her right foot while she is in the office today, to stabilize the fracture to allow it to heal. The boot will be in place for 8 weeks after which the x-rays will be repeated to see if the fracture has healed.
• The patient is to be non-weight bearing, which means she won't be able to walk on the right foot, for at least 8 weeks.
• The patient can remove the boot at night while she is in bed only.
• When she removes the boot at bedtime, she is to ice the right foot for twenty minutes, while it is elevated.
• She will be scheduled for a return visit in 8 weeks for a repeat x-ray and reassessment.

What do you need to know from the patient prior to the treatment beginning so you can help her problem solve in order to comply with the treatment plan? Think common sense, not necessarily medical care. Post 2-3 questions to the Critical Thinking: Hairline Fracture of the Calcaneus Discussion Forum, according to the assignment instructions.