A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative following a total knee replacement. What action should the nurse take to prevent deep vein thrombophlebitis?

 

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: Encouraging increased fluid intake helps maintain blood volume and reduces viscosity, promoting circulation and lowering the risk of venous stasis and clot formation postoperatively.

Choice B rationale: Keeping the affected knee flexed impairs venous return and increases stasis, elevating the risk of thrombosis. Proper positioning with extension promotes circulation and reduces clot risk.

Choice C rationale: Prolonged bed rest contributes to immobility-induced venous stasis, a major risk factor for DVT. Early ambulation and leg exercises are essential to prevent thromboembolic events.

Choice D rationale: Massaging the calf of a postoperative patient is contraindicated due to the risk of dislodging a thrombus, potentially leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Choice A rationale:

Elevating the head of the bed can promote comfort and ease breathing, but it's not the first priority in this situation. The nurse needs to assess the client's gastrointestinal status before offering any fluids or food.

While elevating the head of the bed may be helpful in some postoperative situations, it doesn't directly address the client's request for something to drink or the need to assess for potential contraindications to oral intake.

It's important to prioritize assessment before intervention to ensure safe and effective care.

Choice B rationale:

Offering apple juice, a clear liquid, might seem appropriate given the postoperative orders, but it's premature without first assessing the client's abdomen.

Auscultation can reveal important information about bowel sounds, which can indicate whether the client's gastrointestinal system is ready to tolerate fluids or food.

Prematurely offering fluids could lead to complications like nausea, vomiting, or aspiration if the client's bowels are not functioning properly.

Choice D rationale:

Ordering a lunch tray is not appropriate at this stage. The nurse needs to first assess the client's tolerance for clear liquids before advancing the diet.

Advancing the diet too quickly could also lead to gastrointestinal complications.

It's important to follow the postoperative orders and progress the diet gradually as tolerated.

Choice C rationale:

Auscultating the client's abdomen is the essential first step in this scenario. It allows the nurse to gather crucial data about the client's gastrointestinal status.

By listening to bowel sounds, the nurse can determine if the client's intestines are active and functioning properly. If bowel sounds are present and normal, it suggests that the client is likely able to tolerate clear liquids.

If bowel sounds are absent or abnormal, it may indicate a potential problem, such as ileus (a temporary paralysis of the intestines), and the nurse would need to hold oral intake and notify the healthcare provider.

This assessment provides essential information to guide the nurse's subsequent actions and ensure the client's safety.