Complete displacement of the articular surface of the joint is called

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

A dislocation is defined as the complete displacement of the articulating surfaces of a joint, meaning the bones are no longer in contact.
The keyword in the question is 'complete displacement,' which directly corresponds to the definition of a dislocation.
This is distinct from a subluxation, where the displacement is only partial or incomplete.

Option B: Subluxation refers to a partial or incomplete displacement of the joint surfaces, not a complete one.
Option C: A sprain is an injury to ligaments (the tissues that connect bones to other bones), typically involving stretching or tearing. It does not involve the displacement of the articular surfaces.
Option D: A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon (the tissue that connects muscle to bone). It does not involve the displacement of the joint itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of musculoskeletal injuries as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A suspected dislocation is a medical emergency. The nurse's primary role is to immobilize the joint and perform frequent neurovascular checks (assessing pulse, color, sensation, and movement) distal to the injury to ensure blood flow and nerve function are not compromised.
Nurses must educate patients not to attempt to 'pop' a dislocated joint back into place, as this can cause significant damage to surrounding blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments. Reduction must be performed by a trained medical professional.
What if? If the patient presented with a joint that 'slipped out and went back in on its own,' the injury would more likely be classified as a subluxation, which still requires medical evaluation to assess for ligamentous instability.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question stem: 'complete displacement' and 'articular surface of the joint'.
This is a definition-based recall question. Your task is to match the definition to the correct medical term.
Evaluate each option: 'Dislocation' means complete displacement. 'Subluxation' means partial displacement. 'Sprain' relates to ligament injury. 'Strain' relates to muscle/tendon injury.
Based on the keyword 'complete', you can confidently select the term that matches this specific type of displacement.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 846-848

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