A nurse is caring for a client who had a total right hip arthroplasty. In which of the following positions should the nurse place the client to prevent complications?
Prone with the legs adducted
Side-lying on the affected side
Supine with the head slightly elevated
High-Fowler's with a pillow under the knees
The Correct Answer is C
A. Prone with the legs adducted: Prone positioning is not recommended after hip arthroplasty as it places pressure on the surgical site and does not support proper hip alignment. Adduction of the legs increases the risk of hip dislocation.
B. Side-lying on the affected side: Lying on the operative side can cause pain and increase pressure on the hip joint, which may compromise healing. It is generally recommended to avoid side-lying positions unless specifically advised by the provider.
C. Supine with the head slightly elevated: Keeping the client in a supine position with the head elevated and the legs abducted helps maintain proper hip alignment and reduces the risk of dislocation. A wedge or abduction pillow is often used to prevent the legs from crossing.
D. High-Fowler's with a pillow under the knees: A high-Fowler's position increases hip flexion beyond the recommended 90-degree limit, which can lead to dislocation. Placing a pillow under the knees can also increase the risk of venous stasis and deep vein thrombosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"A"}
Explanation
Condition Choices
- Dysrhythmias: Dysrhythmias are often linked to electrolyte imbalances, particularly potassium abnormalities, rather than WBC count changes. The client’s potassium level remains within normal limits, making dysrhythmias unlikely.
- Infection: A decreasing WBC count below the normal range weakens the immune response, increasing susceptibility to infections. The client’s WBC count has declined from 4,500/mm³ to 4,100/mm³, placing them at higher risk for opportunistic infections, a major concern in HIV.
- Renal failure: Renal failure is typically assessed through elevated BUN and creatinine levels, along with signs of fluid imbalance. The client’s BUN is slightly elevated but not significantly high, and there are no other indicators of renal failure.
- Bleeding: Bleeding risk is associated with low platelet levels, which impair clotting ability. The client’s platelet count remains within normal limits, reducing the likelihood of bleeding complications.
- Seizures: Seizures can result from severe electrolyte imbalances, neurological conditions, or uncontrolled infections. The client does not exhibit signs of neurological dysfunction, and electrolyte levels are stable, making seizures unlikely.
Finding Choices
- WBC count: A declining WBC count below the normal range weakens the immune response, making the client more susceptible to infections. This is particularly concerning for individuals with HIV, as they are already at an increased risk for opportunistic infections.
- Potassium level: Potassium levels are crucial for cardiac function and neuromuscular stability. The client’s potassium level remains within normal limits, making it an unlikely contributor to any immediate risk.
- Platelets: Platelets play a key role in clot formation. The client’s platelet count is within the normal range, so they are not currently at increased risk for bleeding.
- Sodium level: Sodium is essential for fluid balance and neurological function. The client’s sodium level remains within the normal range, meaning it is not contributing to any immediate concerns.
- BUN level: Elevated BUN levels can indicate impaired kidney function, dehydration, or increased protein metabolism. The client’s BUN level has increased slightly but is still within the normal range, making renal failure unlikely at this time.
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E","G"]
Explanation
- Pain level: Chest pain rated at 7/10 with radiation to the left arm, along with diaphoresis and nausea, indicates a potential acute coronary syndrome, likely a myocardial infarction. Immediate intervention is necessary to relieve pain and address the underlying cause, as this could prevent further complications and potential cardiac damage.
- Electrocardiogram findings: ST-segment elevation and T wave changes suggest an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which requires urgent medical attention. Prompt identification and activation of treatment protocols, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy, are critical to restore blood flow and minimize myocardial damage.
- Troponin T level: An elevated troponin T level (0.40 ng/mL, with a normal range <0.1 ng/mL) indicates myocardial injury, supporting the diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction. Immediate management is essential to mitigate further cardiac injury and ensure appropriate treatment is initiated based on the severity of the elevation.
- Blood pressure: While the blood pressure reading of 164/80 mm Hg indicates hypertension, it is not critically high and does not require immediate intervention like the other findings. However, elevated blood pressure in the context of a myocardial infarction can increase myocardial oxygen demand, leading to further complications, thus it should be monitored closely.
- Blood glucose level: The blood glucose level of 103 mg/dL is within normal limits (74-106 mg/dL) and does not indicate an immediate concern. Although monitoring blood glucose is essential in clients with diabetes, it is not a priority in the context of acute coronary syndrome.
- Bowel sounds: The presence of bowel sounds indicates gastrointestinal function and does not require immediate follow-up in this context. While it’s important to assess overall health, bowel sounds are not a priority when addressing acute cardiac symptoms.
- Lung sounds: Clear lung sounds indicate that there is no pulmonary congestion or other respiratory complications at this time. While lung assessment is essential for overall patient evaluation, clear lung sounds do not require immediate follow-up in this acute setting.
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