Nokea
The nurse is preparing a patient for discharge 4 days after insertion of a femoral head prosthesis using a posterior approach. Which of the following patient statements indicate a need for additional discharge instructions?
- A. I should not cross my legs while sitting.
- B. I will use a toilet elevator on the toilet seat.
- C. I will have someone else put on my shoes and socks.
- D. I can sleep in any position that is comfortable for me.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient needs to sleep in a position that prevents excessive internal rotation or flexion of the hip. The other patient statements indicate that the patient has understood the teaching.
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The nurse is caring for a patient who is a baseball pitcher and had an arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff injury performed in same-day surgery. Which of the following information should be included in the patient's postoperative teaching plan?
- A. You have an appointment with a physical therapist for tomorrow.
- B. You can still play baseball but you will not be able to return to pitching.
- C. The doctor will use the drop-arm test to determine the success of surgery.
- D. Leave the shoulder immobilizer on for the first few days to minimize pain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Physical therapy after a rotator cuff repair begins on the first postoperative day to prevent 'frozen shoulder.' A shoulder immobilizer is used immediately after the surgery, but leaving the arm immobilized for several days would lead to loss of range of motion (ROM). The drop-arm test is used to test for rotator cuff injury, but not after surgery. The patient may be able to return to pitching after rehabilitation.
Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who has had a total knee arthroplasty?
- A. Avoid extension of the knee beyond 120 degrees.
- B. Use a compression bandage to keep the knee flexed.
- C. Start progressive knee exercises to obtain 90-degree flexion.
- D. Teach about the need to avoid weight bearing for 4 weeks.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After knee arthroplasty, active or passive flexion exercises are used to obtain a 90-degree flexion of the knee. The goal for extension of the knee will be 180 degrees. A compression bandage is used to hold the knee in an extended position after surgery. Full weight bearing is expected before discharge.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a long-arm plaster cast applied for immobilization of a fractured left radius. Which of the following actions should the nurse implement until the cast has completely dried?
- A. Keep the left arm in a dependent position.
- B. Handle the cast with the palms of the hands.
- C. Place gauze around the cast edge to pad any roughness.
- D. Cover the cast with a small blanket to absorb the dampness.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Until a plaster cast has dried, placing pressure on the cast should be avoided to prevent creating areas inside the cast that could place pressure on the arm. The left arm should be elevated to prevent swelling. The edges of the cast may be petalled once the cast is dry but padding the edges before that may cause the cast to be misshapen. The cast should not be covered until it is dry because heat builds up during drying.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just arrived on the orthopedic unit after a right above-the-knee amputation with an immediate prosthetic fitting. Which of the following actions should the nurse implement first?
- A. Place the patient in a prone position.
- B. Check the surgical site for hemorrhage.
- C. Remove the prosthesis and wrap the site.
- D. Keep the residual leg elevated on a pillow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should monitor for hemorrhage after the surgery. The prosthesis will not be removed. To avoid flexion contracture of the hip, the leg will not be elevated on a pillow. The patient is placed in a prone position after amputation to prevent hip flexion, but this would not be done during the immediate postoperative period.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a left femur fracture who has a hip spica cast applied. Which of the following nursing interventions should be included in the plan of care?
- A. Avoid placing the patient in the prone position.
- B. Use the cast support bar to reposition the patient.
- C. Ask the patient about any abdominal discomfort or nausea.
- D. Discuss the reasons for remaining on bed rest for several weeks.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment of bowel tones, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting will detect the development of cast syndrome. To avoid breakage, the support bar should not be used for repositioning. After the cast dries, the patient can begin ambulating with the assistance of physical therapy personnel and may be turned to the prone position.