A home health nurse is planning care for a client who has Alzheimer's disease.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A rationale:

Keeping an abduction pillow between the client's legs is a preventive measure to avoid dislocation of the hip prosthesis. This positioning helps maintain the correct alignment of the hip joint, reducing the risk of dislocation. Abduction pillows are commonly used postoperatively after total hip arthroplasty to support proper hip positioning while the patient is in bed.

Choice B rationale:

Elevating the client's affected leg on a pillow when in bed is not recommended after total hip arthroplasty. This position could lead to hip adduction, increasing the risk of prosthesis dislocation. Maintaining abduction (spreading the legs apart) is the key to preventing dislocation, and elevation should be avoided to maintain proper alignment.

Choice C rationale:

Positioning the client's knees slightly higher than the hips when up in a chair is not an appropriate preventive measure for prosthesis dislocation. Proper alignment is crucial, and the client should avoid sitting in low chairs or on low surfaces that could cause the hips to be lower than the knees, potentially leading to dislocation.

Choice D rationale:

Raising the head of the client's bed to a high-Fowler's position is unrelated to preventing prosthesis dislocation. Fowler's position refers to elevating the head of the bed to assist with breathing and facilitate patient comfort. While this position might be suitable for certain respiratory conditions, it has no direct impact on the stability of a hip prosthesis.

Choice A rationale:

Choosing an agency to provide home physical therapy is important, but it is not the priority in this situation. The client's safety and immediate needs should be addressed first.

Choice B rationale:

Obtaining an alert system to get help in case of a fall is the priority for an older adult living alone with left-sided weakness following a stroke. Falls can result in serious injuries, so having an alert system ensures the client can call for assistance promptly, enhancing their safety and well-being.

Choice C rationale:

Providing information about available transportation resources is important for the client's long-term independence and quality of life. However, immediate safety concerns, such as the risk of falls, should be addressed first.

Choice D rationale:

Reviewing information about support groups for individuals who have had a stroke is essential for the client's emotional well-being and social support. However, immediate safety measures, such as fall prevention, take precedence in this scenario.