HESI PN Exit Exam Related

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You have a patient who has just had a diagnostic arthroscopy. You are instructing him about what to do when he gets home. Which of the following would you NOT instruct him to do?

  • A. Resume normal activities within 12 hours so as to help reduce the swelling
  • B. Elevate the extremity for 24 - 48 hours
  • C. Apply ice to the area involved intermittently
  • D. Report severe pain to the physician immediately
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients should rest and avoid normal activities for a short period after arthroscopy to allow healing and prevent swelling, which could worsen with early activity. Elevation and icing are recommended post-procedure to reduce swelling and pain. Instructing the patient to resume normal activities within 12 hours could lead to increased swelling and delayed healing. Reporting severe pain is crucial as it could indicate a complication. Therefore, the correct instruction is not to resume normal activities immediately after arthroscopy.