Author Question: The newly admitted client has contractures of both lower extremities. What nursing intervention ... (Read 83 times)

waynest · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The newly admitted client has contractures of both lower extremities. What nursing intervention should be included in this client's plan of care?

1. Frequent position changes to reverse the contractures
2. Exercises to strengthen flexor muscles
3. Range of motion exercises to prevent worsening of contractures
4. Weight-bearing activities to stimulate joint relaxation

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has peripheral vascular disease and is experiencing intermittent claudication. What action is most appropriate for the nurse to take to relieve the pain?

a. Position the patient with his legs dependent
b. Administer oxygen
c. Encourage the patient to exercise his extremities during the painful episode
d. Administer narcotic analgesics

Koolkid240 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3. Range of motion exercises to prevent worsening of contractures.

Rationale:
Once contractures occur, they are irreversible except by surgical intervention. The best nursing intervention is to keep the contractures from getting tighter (or worse) by providing range of motion exercises. Frequent position changes will not reverse contractures, nor will weight-bearing activities. The contracture occurs because the flexor muscles are stronger than the extensor muscles. This imbalance in strength pulls the inactive joint into a flexed position, and a permanent shortening of the muscle occurs.

Answer to Question 2

A
If the pain is in the legs, the patient should sit down and improve the delivery of oxygen to the legs by positioning the legs lower than the level of the heart. Administering oxygen, exercise, and providing narcotic analgesics may or may not be indicated.