How can a nurse practitioner assess the success of reducing a nursemaid's elbow?

The best way to assess the success of reducing a nursemaid's elbow is through the observation of the child moving the affected arm at the elbow. After successful reduction, the child should be able to flex and extend the arm freely without pain. This ability to move the joint indicates that the annular ligament has been repositioned correctly around the radial head, returning function to the elbow.

While hearing a click during the reduction can be a positive sign that the elbow has been realigned, it does not confirm successful function or pain-free movement. Similarly, visual inspection of the deformity may show improvement, but this does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the elbow's function. X-rays can confirm the position of the bones but are not typically necessary for assessing the success of a non-surgical reduction of a nursemaid's elbow, as the condition is primarily diagnosed based on the clinical presentation and physical examination findings. Therefore, the best indicator of success is the child's ability to move the affected arm.