The nurse is caring for a client who develops compartment syndrome after an embolectomy for peripheral arterial disease. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Perform passive range-of-motion exercise to improve distal blood flow.
b. Prepare the client for return to the operative suite for surgical correction.
c. Medicate the client for pain and place the client in a knee-chest position.
d. Loosen the dressing and elevate the extremity to the level of the heart.
D
When a client develops compartment syndrome, the nurse should remove or loosen the dressing and elevate the extremity to the level of the heart. In addition, the nurse must notify the health care provider immediately. Passive range of motion and the knee-chest position are not indicated. Preparing the client for return to the operating room is not indicated at this time. The priority is to relieve pressure by loosening the dressing and positioning the extremity at the level of the heart.
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