Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardBasic Care and Comfort

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is planning daily care activities for a client recovering from a left below-the-knee amputation performed 48 hours ago. Which basic comfort and mobility interventions are essential to include in the client's care? Select all that apply.

  1. Position the client prone for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times a day.Answer
  2. B
    Support the left residual limb on a pillow to elevate it while the client is supine.
  3. C
    Offer reassurance by telling the client they will walk normally with a prosthetic leg very soon.
  4. Keep the left knee fully extended using an amputation board when the client sits in a chair.Answer
  5. Cleanse the residual limb gently with warm water and mild soap, ensuring complete drying.Answer

Answer

The correct interventions are positioning the client prone periodically, keeping the knee fully extended while sitting, and properly cleansing the residual limb with mild soap and water.
Appropriate basic care for a below-the-knee amputation after the first 24 hours focuses on contracture prevention and skin integrity. Assisting the client into a prone position multiple times a day helps stretch the hip flexors. Supporting the knee in full extension while sitting prevents knee flexion contractures. Washing the residual limb daily with mild soap and water maintains skin integrity and prevents infection without causing chemical irritation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's postoperative timeline and surgical site.
The client is 48 hours postoperative following a left below-the-knee amputation.
The postoperative timeline dictates whether certain positioning strategies (like elevation) are therapeutic or contraindicated.
2
Evaluate the risk of complications associated with this specific amputation.
The primary physical risks are hip and knee flexion contractures, skin breakdown, and infection. The primary psychological risk involves grief over limb loss.
Basic care and comfort must proactively address these specific risks to promote successful rehabilitation.
3
Determine the correct positioning and hygiene interventions.
Prone positioning and knee extension prevent contractures, while daily washing with mild soap prevents skin breakdown. Pillows for elevation and false reassurance must be avoided.
These actions perfectly align with the evidence-based physical and emotional needs of the healing stump.

Key Concept

Postoperative amputation positioning and basic stump care focus on preventing hip and knee flexion contractures while maintaining skin integrity.
Rate this question

Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

More questions from this topic