A postoperative patient has been instructed by a nurse about the importance of moving in bed but is still avoiding movement. The nurse should:
a. avoid moving the patient until he or she is motivated.
b. have family members move the patient around.
c. decrease the frequency of movement to be performed.
d. medicate the patient with a prescribed analgesic before moving.
D
If the patient avoids moving, medicate with analgesia as ordered by the physician to ensure the patient's comfort before moving. Allow pain medication to take effect before proceeding. If the patient does not move, he or she is at risk for developing complications of immobility. Family members are not trained in proper moving techniques and can cause injury to the patient and/or themselves. Decreasing the frequency of movement increases the risk of developing complications of immobility.
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