amputation

[ashley6]

Hi, im really confused????

Do you elevate the residual limb on a pillow to prevent hip flexion contactures at any time or NO dont elevate it with a pillow at all

Im so confused. Im afraid of putting the wrong answer on nclex!

Please help !!

[Christy1019, ASN, RN]

From what I remember you do NOT elevate the stump.

Out of curiosity.. why did you post this in the recovery section if your asking Nclex prep questions?

[loriangel14, RN]

What does this have to do with nurses in recovery?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

My guess would be that they thought it was recovery room forum...I moved

[ashley6]

I didnt know how to do this..it was my first post

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

From personal experience, Aka the real world, the residual limb/stump is elevated for post op day 1-2. The greater concern is vascular stability over hip flexion.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

From what I remember you do NOT elevate the stump.

The stump is elevated for the first 24-48 hours to prevent blood from pooling in the stump.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You elevate the residual limb (not "stump") for 24-48 hours to prevent edema. After that, not, because you do not want a contraction to develop (and it will develop rapidly), because that will hinder prosthetic fitting and use.

Everybody remembers about contractures in elders, but it's not hard at all for a younger person to develop one (hip, knee) after amputation.

[invisiblewounds]

You might also note that the pt. should be encouraged to turn side to side and also prone.

Physical or mental...one way or another...future "wound" nurse.

[Christy1019, ASN, RN]

Thank you for the correction, I was trying to reach back 6yrs to my nursing school knowledge lol.

[blackvans1234]

my understanding is elevation for first 24 hours, MUST lay prone a few times though.

chances are test question wants to know if you understand the importance of hip contractures.

The elevation is an immediate postop / swelling intervention.