Nursing Orthopedics Course

Lesson 1 • Musculoskeletal Anatomy Review

Covers bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments relevant to orthopedic care. Provides the anatomical baseline required for all subsequent clinical assessment chapters.

Lesson 2 • Common Orthopedic Terminology

Introduces standardized medical language used in orthopedic documentation and communication. Accurate terminology use is essential for safe handoffs and charting.

Lesson 3 • Orthopedic Nursing Roles and Scope

Defines the nurse's responsibilities within orthopedic teams and care settings. Clarifies scope boundaries that guide safe, competent practice throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Physical Examination Techniques

Teaches inspection, palpation, range-of-motion, and neurovascular assessment of major joints. These hands-on skills form the clinical core of orthopedic nursing evaluation.

Lesson 2 • Musculoskeletal Health History

Guides structured collection of orthopedic-specific patient history, including onset, mechanism, and functional impact. Accurate history informs all downstream assessment decisions.

Lesson 3 • Interpreting Imaging Studies

Introduces X-ray, CT, MRI, and bone scan findings relevant to nursing practice. Nurses use imaging context to anticipate care needs and recognize urgent changes.

Lesson 4 • Laboratory Values in Orthopedic Care

Covers key lab panels used to monitor infection, bone metabolism, and coagulation in orthopedic patients. Abnormal values trigger specific nursing actions covered in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Opioid Safety and Monitoring Protocols

Covers respiratory depression monitoring, naloxone use, and opioid stewardship principles in orthopedic units. Proactive monitoring prevents opioid-related adverse events in post-surgical patients.

Lesson 2 • Pharmacological Pain Management

Reviews opioid, non-opioid, and adjuvant analgesic use in orthopedic care, including dosing, side effects, and monitoring. Safe analgesic administration requires knowledge of drug interactions and patient risk factors.

Lesson 3 • Pain Assessment in Orthopedic Patients

Covers validated pain scales, functional pain assessment, and barriers to accurate reporting in orthopedic populations. Accurate assessment is the prerequisite for effective pain management.

Lesson 4 • Regional Anesthesia and Nerve Blocks

Explains epidural, spinal, and peripheral nerve block nursing care, including monitoring and complication recognition. Regional techniques reduce opioid requirements and improve post-operative recovery.

Lesson 1 • External Fixation Device Care

Covers pin site care, frame integrity checks, and patient education for external fixators. Consistent nursing management reduces infection risk and supports bone healing.

Lesson 2 • Fracture Classification Systems

Reviews open vs. closed, complete vs. incomplete, and pattern-based fracture classifications. Classification knowledge directs appropriate nursing monitoring and intervention priorities.

Lesson 3 • Fracture Complication Prevention

Addresses fat embolism syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, and delayed union as major fracture complications. Prevention strategies are integrated into daily nursing care routines.

Lesson 4 • Traction Devices and Nursing Management

Explains skin and skeletal traction setup, maintenance, and patient monitoring requirements. Nurses maintain alignment, prevent complications, and support patient comfort during traction.

Lesson 1 • Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Management

Addresses airway, hemodynamic, pain, and neurovascular monitoring in the immediate post-operative period. PACU nurses identify early complications before patients transfer to the surgical unit.

Lesson 2 • Surgical Unit Post-operative Care

Covers wound care, drain management, mobility progression, and discharge planning on the orthopedic unit. Consistent post-op nursing reduces length of stay and readmission rates.

Lesson 3 • Pre-operative Assessment and Preparation

Covers pre-op screening, patient education, and surgical site preparation specific to orthopedic procedures. Thorough preparation reduces surgical risk and improves patient outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Blood Management in Orthopedic Surgery

Explains blood loss estimation, transfusion triggers, and autologous blood conservation strategies. Orthopedic procedures carry high blood loss risk requiring proactive nursing management.

Lesson 1 • Total Hip Arthroplasty Care

Covers hip precautions, positioning restrictions, and mobility progression after total hip replacement. Adherence to precautions prevents dislocation, the most common early complication.

Lesson 2 • Shoulder and Upper Extremity Arthroplasty

Introduces sling use, rotator cuff precautions, and activity restrictions after shoulder replacement. Upper extremity arthroplasty requires distinct precautions compared to lower limb procedures.

Lesson 3 • Total Knee Arthroplasty Care

Addresses pain control, swelling management, and continuous passive motion use after knee replacement. Effective early management enables the range-of-motion gains critical to functional recovery.

Lesson 4 • Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Arthroplasty

Covers mechanical and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis protocols specific to joint replacement patients. VTE is a leading cause of post-arthroplasty mortality and requires consistent nursing vigilance.

Lesson 1 • Spinal Immobilization and Log-Roll Technique

Covers cervical collar application, spinal board use, and log-roll positioning to maintain spinal alignment. Improper handling of spinal injuries can convert incomplete to complete cord injury.

Lesson 2 • Post-operative Spinal Surgery Care

Addresses nursing management after discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion, and instrumentation procedures. Post-op spinal nursing focuses on neurological monitoring and complication prevention.

Lesson 3 • Spinal Anatomy and Common Pathologies

Reviews vertebral column structure, intervertebral discs, and spinal cord anatomy relevant to nursing care. Anatomical knowledge underpins accurate neurological assessment and safe patient handling.

Lesson 4 • Spinal Cord Injury Assessment

Teaches ASIA impairment scale use, dermatome mapping, and autonomic dysfunction recognition in spinal cord injury. Accurate classification guides care planning and rehabilitation goal setting.

Lesson 1 • Patient Education for Long-Term Recovery

Develops structured patient education on activity restrictions, wound care, medication, and follow-up after discharge. Effective education enables patients to self-manage and recognize complications early.

Lesson 2 • Mobility and Weight-Bearing Progression

Covers weight-bearing status classifications, assistive device selection, and safe ambulation assistance techniques. Correct mobility progression prevents falls and supports bone and tissue healing.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Establishes goals, phases, and interdisciplinary roles in orthopedic rehabilitation from acute to community settings. Nurses serve as coordinators and advocates throughout the rehabilitation continuum.

Lesson 4 • Therapeutic Exercise Support

Introduces isometric, isotonic, and range-of-motion exercises nurses reinforce between therapy sessions. Consistent exercise reinforcement accelerates functional recovery and reduces muscle atrophy.