Question

A home health care nurse is visiting a patient after a total hip replacement. What should the nurse include when teaching the patient how to protect the new joint?

a. Put an extension on the toilet seat.
b. Keep the legs crossed when at rest.
c. Frequently change positions from side to side.
d. Slowly pull the knee to the chest twice a day to stretch the hip abductors.

Answer 1

To protect a new hip joint after total hip replacement, the nurse should teach the patient to use a toilet seat extension, change positions frequently, and perform knee-to-chest stretches.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching a patient how to protect a new hip joint after total hip replacement, the nurse should include the following:

1. Put an extension on the toilet seat: This helps the patient avoid bending the hip too much when sitting on the toilet.
2. Frequently change positions from side to side: This helps prevent pressure sores and reduces the risk of blood clot formation.
3. Slowly pull the knee to the chest twice a day to stretch the hip abductors: This helps improve flexibility and prevent stiffness in the hip joint.

These measures will help protect the new joint and promote proper healing and recovery.