Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the prosthesis?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Place a wedge pillow between the client's legs. Placing a wedge pillow between the client's legs helps maintain proper alignment and prevents internal rotation of the affected leg, reducing the risk of dislocation of the prosthesis. Abducting the legs (Choice A) may increase the risk of dislocation. Elevating the head of the bed to 90 degrees (Choice C) is unrelated to preventing prosthesis dislocation. Turning the client every 2 hours to the unaffected side (Choice D) is important for preventing pressure ulcers but does not specifically address prosthesis dislocation.