An X-ray confirms that the epiphyseal plate of a 10-year-old is fractured. The nurse would anticipate that the damage may result in which of the following?

Explanation

•The epiphyseal plates have a high activity of osteoblasts and is an important area of bone growth, therefore any disruption may result in bone growth disruption.

•Increase in the length of long bones occurs at the epiphyseal plate, a cartilage segment. As cartilage cells grow away from the shaft, they are replaced by bone, thereby increasing bone length.

•Rheumatoid arthritis is a collagen disease with an autoimmune component with no relationship to fractures.

•Nerve damage and osteomyelitis may occur with any fracture, but growth disruption is primarily a concern at the epiphyseal plate.

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