What are common assessment findings for a client with a fractured hip after a fall?

The common assessment findings for a client with a fractured hip after a fall typically include shortening of the affected limb and external rotation. This presentation is primarily due to the anatomical and biomechanical changes that occur when the hip is fractured.

In the case of a hip fracture, especially a femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture, the muscles around the hip, particularly the iliopsoas and the gluteal muscles, can pull the femur into an externally rotated position. This external rotation, combined with a noticeable shortening of the leg—often due to the displacement of the fracture—creates a distinct clinical picture that is typically recognizable in emergency and clinical settings.

This assessment is critical for both diagnosis and for planning appropriate interventions, such as surgical repair or rehabilitation measures. The other choices do not accurately reflect the typical presentation associated with a hip fracture. For example, internal rotation and swelling could be indicative of other injuries; pain without visible deformity does not capture the expected physical findings associated with a hip fracture, and increased muscle strength in the affected leg would be inconsistent with the pain and dysfunction typically observed in these cases.