What is the priority nursing intervention in the immediate post-operative period for a patient who has undergone amputation?

The purpose of elevation in the post-operative care of a patient with a lower extremity amputation is to promote venous return and reduce swelling. Elevating the residual limb helps to decrease edema and improve blood flow, which can enhance healing and prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis.

b. To improve the patient's comfort and relaxation: While elevation may improve the patient's comfort, the primary purpose is to address physiological concerns related to venous return and swelling.
c. To encourage early ambulation and mobility: Ambulation and mobility are essential components of post-operative care, but the specific purpose of elevation is not related to encouraging early ambulation.
d. To protect the surgical incision from contamination: While protecting the surgical incision is important, elevation is not the primary method for this purpose. Dressings and wound care techniques are used to protect the surgical site from contamination.

Increased swelling and bruising of the residual limb after a below-the-knee amputation may indicate a possible complication such as hematoma formation or poor wound healing. It requires further assessment and intervention by the healthcare team.

b. Mild tenderness and discomfort at the surgical site: Mild tenderness and discomfort are common after surgery and may be expected in the post-operative period. As long as the pain is manageable and not worsening, it is not necessarily an indication of a significant complication.
c. Gradual decrease in phantom limb pain over time: Phantom limb pain may gradually decrease over time as the nerve endings adapt to the amputation, and the brain's perception of the missing limb changes. This finding is a normal part of the post-amputation process and is not typically a complication.
d. Resumption of normal daily activities with a prosthetic limb: Resuming normal daily activities with a prosthetic limb is a positive outcome and a sign of successful rehabilitation and adaptation to the prosthesis. It is not indicative of a complication.