A practical nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a right total knee arthroplasty. The client reports leg swelling and asks the nurse to place a pillow directly under the right knee for comfort. Which action should the nurse take?
- Elevate the right leg by placing a pillow under the lower calf and ankle, ensuring the knee remains fully extended.Cevap
- BPlace a soft pillow directly under the right knee to alleviate the reported joint tension and promote comfort.
- CAsk the client why they feel they need a pillow placed under their surgical knee.
- DMaintain the right leg flat on the mattress without elevation to prevent the risk of joint dislocation.
Cevap
Elevate the right leg by placing a pillow under the lower calf and ankle, ensuring the knee remains fully extended.
Following a total knee arthroplasty, the primary basic care goals are to reduce edema and prevent flexion contractures. Elevating the leg by placing pillows under the lower calf and ankle allows for venous return while keeping the new knee joint straight and fully extended.
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Anahtar Kavram
Proper postoperative positioning for total knee arthroplasty emphasizes maintaining knee extension to prevent flexion contractures while appropriately managing edema.