A client has dislocated his hip as a result of a fall. The nurse recognizes that the primary need to quickly and effectively return the femoral head to its normal position is to:
1. Preserve blood flow to the head of the femur.
2. Eliminate the severe pain the client is experiencing.
3. Minimize the damage being caused to affected ligaments.
4. Avoid damage to nerves located in the affected area.
Preserve blood flow to the head of the femur.
Rationale: A dislocation is a displacement of a bone from its normal position in a joint. While the dislocation requires reduction as soon as possible to reduce pain and avoid ligament, vascular, and/or nerve damage, the primary concern is interference with blood supply to the femoral head. This can lead to severe complications such as avascular necrosis (AVN), in which the bone tissue dies due to a temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bone. While important, the other manifestations of the dislocation do not have priority over interrupted blood flow.
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