An older client is admitted for treatment of a fractured left hip. The fracture is repaired by internal fixation. What would be a priority nursing intervention regarding positioning this client in the immediate postoperative period?
1. Keeping the client in low Fowler's position to facilitate slight hip flexion
2. Elevating the foot of the bed to prevent venous pooling in the lower extremities
3. Placing a trochanter roll at the thigh on the left side to prevent internal rotation
4. Placing a pillow or foam frame between the legs to maintain abduction of the left leg
Answer: 4
Maintaining the leg in an abducted position is critical in the first few days after surgery for a client with a fractured hip. This maintains the intactness of the hip joint. The trochanter roll at the thigh will assist to prevent external rotation, not internal rotation. The foot of the bed may be slightly elevated, but maintaining abduction is more critical.
Learn More :
Mobility Nclex
- An older client has bilateral osteoarthritis in his hips. What would be important for the nurse to teach this client regarding protection of his joints?
- Which dietary recommendations would the nurse encourage for a client who has just been diagnosed with gout?
- A client with osteoarthritis in the left knee has had a total knee replacement. What is important to include in the postoperative nursing care plan?
- The nurse understands that which characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis distinguishes it from both osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis?
- A client has a problem with severe painful osteoarthritis. A regimen of heat, massage, and exercise has been ordered. What is the desired response to this treatment?
- The nurse is screening an older woman for the early signs of osteoporosis. What assessment findings would be strongly suggestive of the presence of osteoporosis?
- Which of the following put a woman at increased risk for development of osteoporosis?
- The nurse is preparing health teaching for adult women regarding the prevention of osteoporosis. What would be important to include in the teaching plan?
- A child has an injured wrist and will not allow the nurse to exam the injured arm. Both parents and child are upset. What is a priority nursing intervention?
- The nurse understands that which of the following is characteristic of fractures in children?
- A client has been fitted with crutches. The nurse is assessing the crutches to determine if they properly fit the client. What observation would cause the nurse the most concern?
- The nurse is caring for a client with a fractured hip who has been placed in Buck's traction. On assessing the client, the nurse determines the client's feet are touching the end of the bed. What would be the best nursing action?
- The nurse is caring for a client with a fractured femur that has not been repaired. Fat emboli and pulmonary emboli are both potential complications of this condition. Which symptoms would be suggestive of fat emboli versus a pulmonary emboli?
- A client's x-ray film shows a fractured right femur. The nurse will assess the client for what potential complication?
- A client is being discharged after receiving a left total hip replacement. He has been instructed on how to use a cane by physical therapy. The nurse is evaluating the client's use of the cane. What observation would indicate the client understands how to use the cane?
- An older woman is being discharged home after repair of a left hip fracture. Which statement by the client would indicate to the nurse that additional teaching is needed?
- Fat embolism is a major complication of a client with a fractured femur. What assessment finding would alert the nurse to the possibility of this complication occurring?
- A client has a fractured femur and is scheduled for surgery and stabilization with internal fixation. The nurse is assessing the client for the development of a fat embolism. What early assessment findings would suggest the development of this complication?
- The nurse is concerned about compartmental syndrome in an 8-year-old client with a greenstick fracture. For what will the nurse teach the mother to observe?
- The nurse is caring for a client who has undergone repair of a fractured hip. What will be an important nursing action?
- A client with a complete transverse fracture of the left femur has been treated with an external fixator device. The nurse is caring for the client the day after the procedure. What would be an important nursing intervention in caring for this client?
- The nurse is assisting a client to learn how to use an aluminum pick up walker to help stabilize her gait after repair of a fractured hip. Which nursing observations of the client's activity would indicate the client understands how to use the walker?
- Twelve hours after a total hip replacement, a client complains of sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing action?
- A client is placed in Buck's traction after admission for a fractured hip. The client asks the nurse to help reposition him toward the head of the bed. What would be an important nursing consideration when repositioning this client?