The Critical Role of Nursing Assessment in Clinical Outcomes of Acute Compartment Syndrome: An Integrative Literature Review

The Critical Role of Nursing Assessment in Clinical Outcomes of Acute Compartment Syndrome: An Integrative Literature Review Sedona Dowd, MS Faculty Sponsor: Elizabeth Hartman, PhD, RN Abstract Background: Nurses play a critical role in assessing for acute compartment syndrome. Despite the improvements made in diagnosing and treating patients with this potentially deadly situation, as well as an increased awareness of ACS, nurses are falling short when required to display knowledge and identify patients with the syndrome. Along with identifying at-risk patients for developing ACS, nurses can aide the clinical diagnosis of ACS through diligent assessment. Objectives: To use current research to examine clinical outcomes associated with effective nursing assessment of acute compartment syndrome through identifying at-risk patients. Methods: This integrative literature review was conducted using keywords “acute compartment syndrome, compartment syndrome, ACS, nursing, nursing assessment clinical outcomes, and clinical judgment.” to search the literature between 2000 and 2019. Articles were all in English and used data PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Health Literature (CINAHL), and Academic Search Complete. A total of 10 articles were used. Results: Nurses must be aware of the crucial assessment details that are a precursor to impending acute compartment syndrome. These assessment details include the 5 p’s, as well as the escalation in leg pain and changes in sensation changes within the compartments. In addition to early detection, nurses must be aware of the demographic criteria that makes patients at-risk for developing ACS. Patients with leg injuries, patients of the male gender, and youth patients are considered at the highest risk for developing ACS. Conclusions: Through the use of early recognition and identifying at-risk patients, nurses can play a role in preventing the detrimental effects of acute compartment syndrome. Diligent assessment for escalation of pain and changes in sensation, in addition to identifying patients with tibial fractures, those of the male gender, and those between the ages of 12-19 years and 20-29 years, are all key factors for catching acute compartment syndrome in the early stages before further damage can occur. Key words: acute compartment syndrome, compartment syndrome, ACS, nursing, nursing assessment clinical outcomes, and clinical judgmen