Final answer:
The nurse should elevate the patient's affected joint and apply a cold compress to manage pain and swelling. Acetaminophen may be given for pain relief, but NSAIDs should be avoided to not interfere with blood clotting. Vitamin K is not effective in hemophilia as the condition is related to a deficiency in specific clotting factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a patient with hemophilia who reports pain and swelling in a joint following an injury, the nurse should elevate the affected joint and apply a cold compress.
This action reduces swelling and can help manage pain. Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not recommended immediately after the injury as they can interfere with blood clotting.
Therefore, administering acetaminophen for pain relief can be considered, provided it doesn't interfere with the patient's overall treatment plan.
It's also important to observe for increased redness, swelling, and pain, which can signify an infection or worsening condition.
Encouraging active range of motion exercises would not be appropriate at this stage due to the risk of worsening the bleed.
Lastly, administering vitamin K to promote clotting is ineffective in hemophilia since the issue is a deficiency of clotting factors, specifically factor VIII in hemophilia A and factor IX in hemophilia B, which vitamin K does not correct.