ABSTRACT
Hip fracture is a common condition associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The major risk factors are female sex and osteoporosis. The consequences range from a loss of mobility in fitter patients, to death from complications in the very frail. Confusion and altered conscious state are common in patients presenting with hip fractures, particularly if there has been a delay (as in this case) in getting to hospital. The Glasgow Coma Score is an easy way of communicating a patient’s conscious level between members of the healthcare team. It provides an objective way of monitoring response to treatment and gives early warning of deterioration in clinical condition. Fluid moves between the intracellular and extracellular compartments; and in the extracellular compartment between the interstitial, venous and arterial compartments. The body has powerful homeostatic mechanisms that regulate fluid and electrolyte balance in the vascular compartments.
