The patient is admitted to a skilled care unit for rehabilitation after the surgical procedure of fixation of a fractured left hip

Question

The patient's nursing diagnosis is Impaired physical mobility related to musculoskeletal impairment from surgery and pain with movement. The patient is able to use a walker but needs assistance ambulating and transferring from the bed to the chair. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for this patient?
a. Obtain assistance and physically transfer the patient to the chair.
b. Assist with ambulation and measure how far the patient walks.
c. Give pain medication after ambulation so the patient will have a clear mind.
d. Bring the patient to the cafeteria for group instruction on ambulation.

Answer 1

ANS: B
Assist with walking and measure how far the patient walks to quantify progress. The nurse should allow the patient to do as much for self as possible. Therefore, the nurse should observe the patient transferring from the bed to the chair using the walker and should provide assistance as needed. The patient should be encouraged to use adequate pain medication to decrease the effects of pain and to increase mobility. The patient should be instructed on safe transfer and ambulation techniques in an environment with few distractions, not in the cafeteria.