Chapter 41 Assessment of Muscoloskeletal adaptive quizzing? (20Qw/EXP)

A patient has recently been admitted to the orthopedic unit following total hip arthroplasty. The patient has a closed suction device in place and the nurse has determined that there were 320 mL of output in the first 24 hours. How should the nurse best respond to this assessment finding?

Ans: Document this as an expected assessment finding. Feedback: Drainage of 200 to 500 mL in the first 24 hours is expected. Consequently, the nurse does not need to inform the physician. Fluid restriction and medication administration are not indicated.

An elderly patient's hip joint is immobilized prior to surgery to correct a femoral head fracture. What is the nurse's priority assessment?

Ans: Signs of neurovascular compromise Feedback: Because impaired circulation can cause permanent damage, neurovascular assessment of the affected leg is always a priority assessment. Leg shortening and internal or external rotation are common findings with a fractured hip. Pain, especially on movement, is also common after a hip fracture.

A patient was brought to the emergency department after a fall. The patient is taken to the operating room to receive a right hip prosthesis. In the immediate postoperative period, what health education should the nurse emphasize? A) "Make sure you don't bring your knees close together." B) "Try to lie as still as possible for the first few days." C) "Try to avoid bending your knees until next week." D) "Keep your legs higher than your chest whenever you can."

Ans: "Make sure you don't bring your knees close together." Feedback: After receiving a hip prosthesis, the affected leg should be kept abducted. Mobility should be encouraged within safe limits. There is no need to avoid knee flexion and the patient's legs do not need to be higher than the level of the chest.

While assessing a patient who has had knee replacement surgery, the nurse notes that the patient has developed a hematoma at the surgical site. The affected leg has a decreased pedal pulse. What would be the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient? A) Risk for Infection B) Risk for Peripheral Neurovascular Dysfunction C) Unilateral Neglect D) Disturbed Kinesthetic Sensory Perception

Ans: Risk for Peripheral Neurovascular Dysfunction Feedback: The hematoma may cause an interruption of tissue perfusion, so the most appropriate nursing diagnosis is Risk of Peripheral Neurovascular Dysfunction. There is also an associated risk for infection because of the hematoma, but impaired neurovascular function is a more acute threat. Unilateral neglect and impaired sensation are lower priorities than neurovascular status.

A 91-year-old patient is slated for orthopedic surgery and the nurse is integrated gerontologic considerations into the patient's plan of care. What intervention is most justified in the care of this patient? A) Administration of prophylactic antibiotics B) Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) C) Use of a pressure-relieving mattress D) Use of a Foley catheter until discharge

Ans: Use of a pressure-relieving mattress Feedback: Older adults have a heightened risk of skin breakdown; use of a pressure-reducing mattress addresses this risk. Older adults do not necessarily need TPN and the Foley catheter should be discontinued as soon as possible to prevent urinary tract infections. Prophylactic antibiotics are not a standard infection prevention measure.

A patient has suffered a muscle strain and is complaining of pain that she rates at 6 on a 10-point scale. The nurse should recommend what action?

Ans: Applying a cold pack to the injured site Feedback: Most pain can be relieved by elevating the involved part, applying cold packs, and administering analgesics as prescribed. Heat may exacerbate the pain by increasing blood circulation, and ROM exercises would likely be painful. Analgesia is likely necessary, but NSAIDs would be more appropriate than opioids.

A nurse is caring for a patient who has had a total hip replacement. The nurse is reviewing health education prior to discharge. Which of the patient's statements would indicate to the nurse that the patient requires further teaching? A) "I'll need to keep several pillows between my legs at night." B) "I need to remember not to cross my legs. It's such a habit." C) "The occupational therapist is showing me how to use a 'sock puller' to help me get dressed." D) "I will need my husband to assist me in getting off the low toilet seat at home."

Ans: "I will need my husband to assist me in getting off the low toilet seat at home." Feedback: To prevent hip dislocation after a total hip replacement, the patient must avoid bending the hips beyond 90 degrees. Assistive devices, such as a raised toilet seat, should be used to prevent severe hip flexion. Using an abduction pillow or placing several pillows between the legs reduces the risk of hip dislocation by preventing adduction and internal rotation of the legs. Likewise, teaching the patient to avoid crossing the legs also reduces the risk of hip dislocation. A sock puller helps a patient get dressed without flexing the hips beyond 90 degrees.

A patient is being prepared for a total hip arthroplasty, and the nurse is providing relevant education. The patient is concerned about being on bed rest for several days after the surgery. The nurse should explain what expectation for activity following hip replacement? A) "Actually, patients are only on bed rest for 2 to 3 days before they begin walking with assistance." B) "The physical therapist will likely help you get up using a walker the day after your surgery." C) "Our goal will actually be to have you walking normally within 5 days of your surgery." D) "For the first two weeks after the surgery, you can use a wheelchair to meet your mobility needs."

Ans: "The physical therapist will likely help you get up using a walker the day after your surgery." Feedback: Patients post-THA begin ambulation with the assistance of a walker or crutches within a day after surgery. Wheelchairs are not normally utilized. Baseline levels of mobility are not normally achieved until several weeks after surgery, however.

A patient with a total hip replacement is progressing well and expects to be discharged tomorrow. On returning to bed after ambulating, he complains of a new onset of pain at the surgical site. What is the nurse's best action? A) Administer pain medication as ordered. B) Assess the surgical site and the affected extremity. C) Reassure the patient that pain is a direct result of increased activity. D) Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of systemic infection.

Ans: Assess the surgical site and the affected extremity. Feedback: Worsening pain after a total hip replacement may indicate dislocation of the prosthesis. Assessment of pain should include evaluation of the wound and the affected extremity. Assuming he's anxious about discharge and administering pain medication do not address the cause of the pain. Sudden severe pain is not considered normal after hip replacement. Sudden pain is rarely indicative of a systemic infection.

A patient is scheduled for a total hip replacement and the surgeon has explained the risks of blood loss associated with orthopedic surgery. The risk of blood loss is the indication for which of the following actions? A) Use of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine B) Postoperative blood salvage C) Prophylactic blood transfusion D) Autologous blood donation

Ans: Autologous blood donation Feedback: Many patients donate their own blood during the weeks preceding their surgery. Autologous blood donations are cost effective and eliminate many of the risks of transfusion therapy. Orthopedic surgery does not necessitate cardiopulmonary bypass and blood is not salvaged postoperatively. Transfusions are not given prophylactically.

A nurse is reviewing a patient's activities of daily living prior to discharge from total hip replacement. The nurse should identify what activity as posing a potential risk for hip dislocation? A) Straining during a bowel movement B) Bending down to put on socks C) Lifting items above shoulder level D) Transferring from a sitting to standing position

Ans: Bending down to put on socks Feedback: Bending to put on socks or shoes can cause hip dislocation. None of the other listed actions poses a serious threat to the integrity of the new hip.

A nurse is planning the care of a patient who has undergone orthopedic surgery. What main goal should guide the nurse's choice of interventions? A) Improving the patient's level of function B) Helping the patient come to terms with limitations C) Administering medications safely D) Improving the patient's adherence to treatment

Ans: Improving the patient's level of function Feedback: Improving function is the overarching goal after orthopedic surgery. Some patients may need to come to terms with limitations, but this is not true of every patient. Safe medication administration is imperative, but this is not a goal that guides other aspects of care. Similarly, adherence to treatment is important, but this is motivated by the need to improve functional status.

The nursing care plan for a patient in traction specifies regular assessments for venous thromboembolism (VTE). When assessing a patient's lower limbs, what sign or symptom is suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? A) Increased warmth of the calf B) Decreased circumference of the calf C) Loss of sensation to the calf D) Pale-appearing calf

Ans: Increased warmth of the calf Feedback: Signs of DVT include increased warmth, redness, swelling, and calf tenderness. These findings are promptly reported to the physician for definitive evaluation and therapy. Signs and symptoms of a DVT do not include a decreased circumference of the calf, a loss of sensation in the calf, or a pale-appearing calf.

A nurse is emptying an orthopedic surgery patient's closed suction drainage at the end of a shift. The nurse notes that the volume is within expected parameters but that the drainage has a foul odor. What is the nurse's best action? A) Aspirate a small amount of drainage for culturing. B) Advance the drain 1 to 1.5 cm. C) Irrigate the drain with normal saline. D) Inform the surgeon of this finding

Ans: Inform the surgeon of this finding. Feedback: The nurse should promptly notify the surgeon of excessive or foul-smelling drainage. It would be inappropriate to advance the drain, irrigate the drain, or aspirate more drainage.

A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day 1 right hip replacement. How should the nurse position the patient? A) Keep the patient's hips in abduction at all times. B) Keep hips flexed at no less than 90 degrees. C) Elevate the head of the bed to high Fowler's. D) Seat the patient in a low chair as soon as possible

Ans: Keep the patient's hips in abduction at all times. Feedback: The hips should be kept in abduction by an abductor pillow. Hips should not be flexed more than 90 degrees, and the head of bed should not be elevated more than 60 degrees. The patient's hips should be higher than the knees; as such, high seat chairs should be used.

A nurse is caring for a patient who is recovering in the hospital following orthopedic surgery. The nurse is performing frequent assessments for signs and symptoms of infection in the knowledge that the patient faces a high risk of what infectious complication?

Ans: Osteomyelitis Feedback: Infection is a risk after any surgery, but it is of particular concern for the postoperative orthopedic patient because of the risk of osteomyelitis. Orthopedic patients do not have an exaggerated risk of cellulitis, sepsis, or septic arthritis when compared to other surgical patients.

A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is preparing for discharge following recovery from a total hip replacement. Which of the following outcomes must be met prior to discharge? A) Patient is able to perform ADLs independently. B) Patient is able to perform transfers safely. C) Patient is able to weight-bear equally on both legs. D) Patient is able to demonstrate full ROM of the affected hip.

Ans: Patient is able to perform transfers safely. Feedback: The patient must be able to perform transfers and to use mobility aids safely. Each of the other listed goals is unrealistic for the patient who has undergone recent hip replacement.

A patient has had a brace prescribed to facilitate recovery from a knee injury. What are the potential therapeutic benefits of a brace? Select all that apply. A) Preventing additional injury B) Immobilizing prior to surgery C) Providing support D) Controlling movement E) Promoting bone remodeling

Ans: Preventing additional injury, Providing support, Controlling movement Feedback: Braces (i.e., orthoses) are used to provide support, control movement, and prevent additional injury. They are not used to immobilize body parts or to facilitate bone remodeling.

A nurse is assessing the neurovascular status of a patient who has had a leg cast recently applied. The nurse is unable to palpate the patient's dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulse and the patient's foot is pale. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? A) Warm the patient's foot and determine whether circulation improves. B) Reposition the patient with the affected foot dependent. C) Reassess the patient's neurovascular status in 15 minutes. D) Promptly inform the primary care provider.

Ans: Promptly inform the primary care provider. Feedback: Signs of neurovascular dysfunction warrant immediate medical follow-up. It would be unsafe to delay. Warming the foot or repositioning the patient may be of some benefit, but the care provider should be informed first.

The nurse is caring for a patient who underwent a total hip replacement yesterday. What should the nurse do to prevent dislocation of the new prosthesis? A) Keep the affected leg in a position of adduction. B) Have the patient reposition himself independently. C) Protect the affected leg from internal rotation. D) Keep the hip flexed by placing pillows under the patient's knee.

Ans: Protect the affected leg from internal rotation. Feedback: Abduction of the hip helps to prevent dislocation of a new hip joint. Rotation and adduction should be avoided. While the hip may be flexed slightly, it shouldn't exceed 90 degrees and maintenance of flexion isn't necessary. The patient may not be capable of safe independent repositioning at this early stage of recovery.