A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

The correct answer is b. Inform the assistive personnel of the client’s weight-bearing status.

Choice A: Assess the client’s incision every 8 hours for the first 48 hours. While it is important to monitor the incision site for signs of infection, the frequency of every 8 hours for the first 48 hours may not be necessary unless specified by the surgeon or the patient’s condition warrants it.

Choice B: Inform the assistive personnel of the client’s weight-bearing status. This is the correct answer. After a total hip arthroplasty, it’s crucial to communicate the client’s weight-bearing status to all members of the healthcare team, including assistive personnel. This helps ensure that everyone is aware of the client’s mobility limitations and can assist the client safely.

Choice C: Instruct the client to cross their legs at the ankles when sitting in a chair. This is not recommended. After a hip arthroplasty, patients are typically advised not to cross their legs to prevent dislocation of the new hip joint.

Choice D: Teach the client’s partner to assist the client to flex the hip at least 120° each hour. This is not recommended. After a hip arthroplasty, patients are typically advised to avoid flexing the hip more than 90 degrees to prevent dislocation of the new hip joint1. Therefore, flexing the hip at least 120° each hour could potentially harm the patient.

The correct answer is choice c. Pick up the first sterile glove by grasping the folded cuff edge.

Choice A rationale:

Opening the top flap of the sterile package towards the body is incorrect. The top flap should be opened away from the body to maintain sterility and prevent contamination.

Choice B rationale:

Maintaining a 1.25 cm (0.5 in) border around the edges of the sterile field is correct practice, but it is not the specific action being asked about in this scenario.

Choice C rationale:

Picking up the first sterile glove by grasping the folded cuff edge is correct. This technique ensures that the outside of the glove remains sterile while putting it on.

Choice D rationale:

Removing soiled dressings using sterile gloves is incorrect. Soiled dressings should be removed using clean gloves to avoid contaminating the sterile gloves needed for the new dressing application.