A nurse is creating a plan of basic care and comfort for a 78-year-old client who is 24 hours postoperative following a right total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the client's care plan? Select all that apply.
- APlace a thick pillow directly underneath the right knee to minimize joint tension.
- Administer prescribed oral analgesics 30 to 45 minutes before scheduled physical therapy sessions.Answer
- Apply cold packs to the right knee as prescribed to help reduce localized swelling and pain.Answer
- DDelegate the initial morning assessment of the right pedal pulse and capillary refill to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
- Instruct the client to perform continuous ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion exercises while resting in bed.Answer
- FInform the family that the client's sudden onset of acute confusion is a normal, expected part of the aging process following surgery.
Answer
The correct interventions are administering analgesics before physical therapy, applying cold packs to the knee, and instructing the client to perform ankle pump exercises.
Appropriate basic care and comfort for a post-TKA client includes proactive pain management (administering analgesics prior to painful activities like physical therapy), non-pharmacologic symptom management (applying cold packs to reduce edema and pain), and promoting safe mobility (performing ankle exercises in bed to prevent venous stasis).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Basic postoperative care and comfort following joint arthroplasty requires balancing pain management, mobility promotion, and the prevention of surgical complications without delegating core nursing assessments.