A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. The client reports a pain level of 3 on a scale from 0 to 10. Which of the following nonpharmacological pain management therapies should the nurse recommend?

Choice A reason: Elevating the bed to 45° increases bleeding risk at the femoral site post-catheterization; flat positioning is preferred. Assessing pulses is priority. Elevating risks hematoma, critical to avoid in ensuring vascular safety, monitoring for complications, and supporting recovery in immediate postoperative cardiac catheterization care.

Choice B reason: Assessing peripheral pulses every 15 minutes post-femoral catheterization monitors for arterial occlusion or bleeding, critical for detecting complications like hematoma or thrombosis. This ensures timely intervention, essential for vascular integrity, preventing limb ischemia, and supporting safe recovery in the immediate postoperative period.

Choice C reason: Changing the dressing 4 hours post-catheterization is premature unless soiled; initial monitoring of pulses is priority. Assuming dressing change is urgent risks disrupting the site, increasing bleeding, critical to avoid in ensuring site stability and vascular safety in immediate post-catheterization care.

Choice D reason: Flexing the right knee is contraindicated post-femoral catheterization, risking site disruption or bleeding; leg immobility is required. Assessing pulses is key. Instructing flexion risks hematoma, critical to prevent in ensuring vascular safety, monitoring complications, and supporting recovery in postoperative cardiac catheterization clients.

Choice A reason: A direct approach may overwhelm a toddler, who needs simple, visual explanations like diagrams to reduce fear. Assuming a direct approach is best risks anxiety, critical to avoid in ensuring a toddler’s emotional comfort and cooperation during preparation for medical procedures.

Choice B reason: Explaining the procedure with simple diagrams is age-appropriate for toddlers, reducing fear and enhancing understanding through visuals. This is critical for cooperation, supporting emotional well-being, ensuring effective preparation, and promoting a positive experience during medical procedures in young children.

Choice C reason: Preparing a toddler 1 day in advance may increase anxiety due to limited time comprehension; same-day preparation is better. Assuming advance preparation is ideal risks distress, critical to prevent in ensuring emotional readiness and cooperation for toddlers undergoing medical procedures.

Choice D reason: Demonstrating equipment may scare toddlers without context; simple diagrams are more effective for preparation. Assuming demonstration is best risks increasing fear, critical to avoid in ensuring a toddler’s comfort and understanding during preparation for medical procedures in healthcare settings.