A pre-hospital clinician is managing an elderly patient with a hip fracture who has been lying on the floor for an estimated 18 hours before being fou...

Question

A pre-hospital clinician is managing an elderly patient with a hip fracture who has been lying on the floor for an estimated 18 hours before being found (a 'long lie'). What specific metabolic complications should be anticipated?

Accepted Answer

Rhabdomyolysis (from prolonged muscle compression), acute kidney injury (from myoglobulinuria), hyperkalaemia, hypothermia, dehydration, and pressure injuries

Answer

The patient will only have the hip fracture to manage

Answer

Only pressure injuries are relevant

Answer

No metabolic complications occur from lying on the floor

Answer

Only hypothermia and dehydration

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Long Lie - Metabolic Complications

A pre-hospital clinician is managing an elderly patient with a hip fracture who has been lying on the floor for an estimated 18 hours before being found (a 'long lie'). What specific metabolic complications should be anticipated?