amputation

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.