The nurse caring for a patient who had a right extremity below the knee amputation (BKA) recognizes the importance of implementing measures that focus on preventing flexion contracture of the hip and maintaining proper positioning

Question

Which of the following measures will achieve these goals?
A) Encouraging the patient to turn from side to side and to assume a prone position
B) Initiating ROM exercises of the hip and knee 3 months after the amputation
C) Minimizing movement of the flexor muscles of the hip
D) Encouraging the patient to sit in the chair for at least 8 hours a day

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback: The nurse encourages the patient to turn from side to side and to assume a prone position, if possible, to stretch the flexor muscles and to prevent flexion contracture of the hip. Postoperative ROM exercises include hip and knee exercises that are started early because contracture deformities develop rapidly. The nurse also discourages sitting for prolonged periods of time.