PN Adult Medical Surgical Practice Exam

What key intervention should be included in the care plan for a client post knee arthroplasty?

1. Massage both lower extremities to promote comfort.

2. Begin the client on a regular diet when the gag reflex returns.

3. Encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer every 4 hr while awake.

4. Assist the client to change positions at least every 2 hr.

The correct answer is: Assist the client to change positions at least every 2 hr.

The key intervention that should be included in the care plan for a client post knee arthroplasty is assisting the client to change positions at least every 2 hours. This intervention is vital in promoting circulation, preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and reducing the risk of pressure ulcers. After a surgical procedure like knee arthroplasty, patients are often less mobile, which can lead to decreased blood flow in the lower extremities. Frequent position changes can enhance venous return and overall comfort. It also helps to relieve pressure on specific body areas, thereby promoting skin integrity. In this context, while promoting comfort is important, general massage may not be advisable immediately post-surgery due to the risk of disrupting the surgical site or causing further swelling. Starting a patient on a regular diet is contingent upon their recovery from anesthesia and ability to tolerate oral intake, which may not be immediate and does not directly relate to enhancing mobility or circulation. The use of an incentive spirometer is essential for respiratory health, particularly in preventing atelectasis, but it typically pertains more to pulmonary function than mobility post knee surgery. Thus, the most pertinent intervention relating to the care and recovery of a client post knee arthroplasty is indeed assisting the