A patient returning to the outpatient office 6 weeks after an above the knee amputation (AKA) reports symptoms of phantom pain. To reduce the discomfort, the nurse correctly instructs the patient to:
A) Apply hot compresses to the area of the amputation
B) Avoid rehabilitation exercises until the pain subsides
C) Comfortably increase his level of activity
D) Assess for a pulse in the extremity of the amputation every 4 to 6 hours
Ans: C
Feedback: Keeping the patient active helps decrease the occurrence of phantom pain. Early intensive rehabilitation and stump desensitization with kneading massage brings relief. Hot compresses should be avoided as the extreme heat can compromise the tissue integrity of the area of healing. It is not necessary for the patient experiencing phantom pain to assess a pulse in the affected extremity, as the cause of the pain is unknown.
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