A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following total hip arthroplasty.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the prosthesis?
Keep an abduction pillow between the client's legs.
Elevate the client's affected leg on a pillow when in bed.
Position the client's knees slightly higher than the hips when up in a chair.
Raise the head of the client's bed to a high-Fowler's position.
The Correct Answer is A
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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Maintaining eye contact with the newborn during feedings is a general caregiving practice and is not specific to managing neonatal abstinence syndrome. While eye contact and bonding are important for newborns, it does not address the symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Choice B rationale:
Swaddling the newborn with his legs extended is not a specific action for managing neonatal abstinence syndrome. However, swaddling can provide comfort to some infants, but the positioning of the legs is not directly related to managing symptoms of withdrawal.
Choice C rationale:
Administering naloxone to the newborn is not a standard practice for managing neonatal abstinence syndrome. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose in adults and is not typically used in newborns unless there are specific indications, which are rare.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Recording the client's progress in the nurses' notes is important for documentation but does not directly promote communication among staff caring for the client. It is essential for the continuity of care and legal documentation, but it does not facilitate active communication between team members.
Choice B rationale:
Posting swallowing precautions at the head of the client's bed is essential for the client's safety, especially considering the risk of aspiration following a stroke. While it ensures the staff is aware of the precautions, it does not directly promote communication among the staff members.
Choice C rationale:
Having interdisciplinary team meetings for the client on a regular basis is the best choice as it promotes communication among the staff caring for the client. Interdisciplinary team meetings allow healthcare professionals from various disciplines, such as nurses, therapists, and doctors, to collaborate, share information, and discuss the best approach to care for the client. This approach ensures comprehensive and coordinated care, addressing both the client's medical and communication needs.
Choice D rationale:
Noting changes in the treatment plan in the client's medical record is crucial for documentation and continuity of care but does not actively promote real-time communication among the staff members. While it is essential for keeping the medical record updated, it does not facilitate immediate communication and collaboration between healthcare professionals.
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