What should the practical nurse (PN) explain to a client who has developed a callus after a fracture?

The development of a callus after a fracture is indeed an expected part of the bone healing process. When a bone fractures, the body initiates a healing response that involves the formation of a callus, which is a soft tissue produced by the body as a part of the reparative process. This callus eventually stabilizes the fracture site and is later replaced by solid bone as healing progresses.

This physiological response indicates that the body is actively repairing the injury, which is a natural and necessary part of recovery. The presence of the callus shows that the body is transforming from the initial inflammatory phase to the reparative phase of healing. Therefore, it is important for the practical nurse to reassure the client that having a callus is not a sign of complications but rather a sign of the healing process taking place.