A male patient with a total hip replacement is progressing well and expects to be discharged tomorrow. On returning to bed after ambulating, he complains of severe pain in the surgical wound. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Assume he's anxious about discharge, and administer pain medication.
B) Assess the surgical site and affected extremity.
C) Reassure the patient that pain is a direct result of increased activity.
D) Suspect a wound infection, and monitor the patient's temperature and vital signs.
Ans: B
Feedback: Worsening pain after a total hip replacement may indicate dislocation of the prosthesis. Assessment of pain should include evaluation of the wound and the affected extremity. Assuming he's anxious about discharge and administering pain medication don't address the cause of the pain. Sudden severe pain isn't normal after hip replacement. Wound infections are usually distinguished by purulent drainage.
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