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Difficulty: MediumBasic Care and Comfort

An adult client is recovering on the surgical unit on the third day after undergoing a left below-the-knee amputation. As part of routine daily management, which fundamental care and comfort actions should the practical nurse implement? Select all that apply.

  1. Assist the client into a prone position for twenty to thirty minutes multiple times a day.Answer
  2. B
    Keep the residual limb continuously elevated on a stack of pillows to manage localized tissue swelling.
  3. Perform routine hygiene by gently cleansing the residual limb with mild soap and warm water.Answer
  4. D
    Serve standard facility meal trays without inquiring about specific religious or cultural dietary restrictions.
  5. Encourage and guide the client to perform active range-of-motion exercises using their unaffected limbs.Answer
  6. F
    Remove the protective facial mask before taking off soiled gloves after assisting the client with a bed bath.

Answer

The correct basic care interventions include assisting the client into a prone position to prevent contractures, cleansing the residual limb with mild soap and water, and encouraging active range-of-motion exercises for the unaffected limbs.
Proper positioning to prevent contractures, maintaining skin hygiene with appropriate cleansing agents, and preserving muscle strength in unaffected extremities are essential basic care elements that promote comfort and prevent postoperative complications.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's postoperative timeline and surgical procedure.
The client is on the third day following a below-the-knee amputation.
Care requirements change significantly after the initial postoperative phase, particularly regarding positioning and mobility to prevent complications.
2
Evaluate the positioning option.
The prone position is an appropriate intervention, while elevating the limb on pillows is incorrect.
Prone positioning prevents hip flexion contractures, whereas prolonged pillow elevation after the first day actively causes them.
3
Assess the hygiene and mobility options.
Washing the limb with mild soap and performing active exercises for unaffected limbs are correct basic care actions.
These fundamental actions promote healing, prevent infection, and maintain physical strength for future rehabilitation.
4
Identify procedural and holistic care errors in the remaining options.
Skipping dietary preference checks and utilizing an incorrect personal protective equipment removal order are wrong actions.
Proper basic care requires culturally sensitive nutrition and strict adherence to standard infection control sequences to ensure patient and nurse safety.

Key Concept

Basic care and comfort for an amputation client involves preventing contractures through proper positioning, maintaining skin hygiene, preserving mobility, and providing holistic, culturally competent daily care.
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Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

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