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 []
Explanation
Potential Condition
- Meningitis: The client's symptoms of severe headache, fever, photophobia, nuchal rigidity, and lethargy are characteristic of meningitis. The presence of these signs suggests inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Immediate evaluation and treatment are essential due to the potential severity of this condition.
- Septic shock: While the client presents with fever and tachycardia, the vital signs and symptoms do not strongly indicate septic shock, which typically involves more profound hypotension, altered mental status, and signs of organ dysfunction. The client’s blood pressure remains relatively stable despite other symptoms.
- Migraine headache: Although the client reports a severe headache, the additional symptoms of fever, photophobia, and nuchal rigidity suggest an infectious process rather than a primary headache disorder. Migraines do not usually present with systemic signs such as fever and muscle rigidity.
- Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus typically presents with increased intracranial pressure, characterized by symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status. The client’s primary complaint is a headache and neck stiffness, but there are no indications of increased intracranial pressure or the classic triad of symptoms seen in hydrocephalus.
Actions to Take:
- Initiate neurological checks every 2 hr: Frequent neurological assessments are crucial for monitoring changes in mental status, level of consciousness, and other signs of increased intracranial pressure or neurological deterioration. This helps ensure timely interventions if the client's condition worsens.
- Decrease environmental stimuli: Reducing noise and light in the environment can help minimize discomfort and agitation for the client with meningitis, particularly given their symptoms of photophobia and malaise. A calm and quiet environment promotes comfort and supports recovery.
- Prepare the client for surgery: While surgery may be necessary in some cases of meningitis, it is not an immediate action to take without further evaluation or evidence of complications such as an abscess. The primary focus should be on monitoring and supportive care initially.
- Administer gabapentin: Gabapentin is typically used for neuropathic pain or seizures, not as a primary treatment for meningitis. The immediate treatment for meningitis involves antibiotics and supportive care rather than gabapentin.
Parameters to Monitor:
- Temperature: Monitoring temperature is vital in clients with meningitis to assess for ongoing infection and evaluate the effectiveness of antipyretic interventions. Fever management is important in reducing metabolic demand and preventing further complications.
- Lactate level: Elevated lactate levels can indicate tissue hypoperfusion and may signify the severity of infection or sepsis. Monitoring lactate helps assess the client's overall condition and response to treatment, guiding further interventions as needed.
- Bowel sounds: Monitoring bowel sounds is not a priority in the context of meningitis and does not provide relevant information about the client's neurological status or condition.
- Vascular changes: While assessing vascular changes can be important in some critical conditions, it is not directly related to the management of meningitis. The focus should be on neurological and systemic assessments.
- Gait: Gait assessment may be relevant for neurological conditions but is not applicable in this acute setting where the client is presenting with signs of meningitis. The priority is to monitor neurological status and vital signs rather than gait at this time.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Eat a light meal 1 hour before bedtime.": Eating before bedtime increases the risk of acid reflux because lying down soon after eating allows stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. It is recommended to avoid eating at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down.
B. "Lie down for 30 minutes after each meal.": Lying down after meals promotes reflux by reducing the effect of gravity in keeping stomach contents in place. Instead, clients should remain upright for at least 2 hours after eating to minimize symptoms.
C. "Sleep with the head of your bed elevated 6 inches.": Elevating the head of the bed helps prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus by using gravity to reduce reflux symptoms. This is a well-established lifestyle modification for GERD management.
D. "Increase your caloric intake by 250 calories per day.": Increasing caloric intake is not a recommended intervention for GERD. Excess weight can worsen symptoms by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, so weight management is often advised for clients with GERD.
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