The nurse is preparing to ambulate a patient who sustained burns over 20% of his lower extremities. Which of the following should be done to facilitate the success of the patient's ambulation?
1. have the patient dangle the legs over the side of the bed first
2. use a tilt table before getting the patient out of bed
3. transfer the patient to a chair before ambulating
4. apply compression wraps to the lower extremities before getting out of bed
4
Rationale: It is important to apply compression wraps on lower extremities before getting the patient out of bed, in order to prevent venous stasis. If extremities are not wrapped, the patient is at risk for capillary bed bleeding, which could cause autograft failure or delay donor-site healing. Venous pooling coupled with prolonged immobility also predisposes the patient to deep-vein thromboses. Wrapping the extremities continues until all wounds are healed and pressure garments are applied. Having the patient dangle the legs over the side of the bed first might need to be done however is not as imperative as having compression wraps on the patient's legs. The use of a tilt table before ambulation may or may not be necessary. Transferring the patient to a chair before ambulating also may or may not be necessary
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