Question

The nurse is caring for a client that has just undergone a Total Knee Arthroplasty the previous day. The nurse will include which intervention in the patient's care plan?

A) Immobilize the knee joint
B) Encourage weight-bearing exercises
C) Apply cold compresses
D) Administer pain medication

Answer 1

After Total Knee Arthroplasty, administering pain medication is a critical intervention in the patient's care plan for comfort and to aid in the recovery process by facilitating participation in physical therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse caring for a client who has undergone a Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) will implement several interventions as part of the post-operative care plan. One important intervention after this type of surgery is D) Administer pain medication. Pain management is crucial for patient comfort, to facilitate participation in physical therapy, and to encourage movement which is important for recovery. While applying cold compresses can help reduce swelling, and encouraging weight-bearing exercises will eventually be part of the recovery process, these are typically introduced gradually and according to the patient's pain level and healing progress. Immobilization of the joint is generally avoided unless specifically indicated because early mobilization is a key part of the rehabilitation protocol to prevent stiffness and complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).