Nursing interventions for patient with hip replacement dislocation?

[Mell Bell]

I am a new nursing student, doing a clinical on an ortho floorr. My patient is in traction, history of COPD, GERD, asthma, diabetes, hypertension. So I'm trying to think of simple interventions, like cough and deep breathe every 2h. I just don't know what other nursing interventions I can perform other than keeping him clean, dry, and comfortable?? We can't do foley care or anything but PO meds. So I get vitals, do assessment, and then I don't know what to do? Help!

[marissa795]

Use an adductor pillow to keep hip slightly adducted post-op

when bathing you want to roll the patient ONTO the side of the hip fx (seems like it would be the opposite, but you want to prevent straining/dislocation etc.) This may differ depending on how many days post-op

teach pt not to bend/rotate affected hip >180 degrees - so dont bend down to tie shoe laces, pick up things

assess the leg for edema, CSM, make sure the traction is in place correctly

[LouisVRN, RN]

One of the most important things is to make sure he is turning from side to side to prevent skin breakdown. Also like the OP said, knowledge deficit regarding hip precautions and use of (I'm assuming a front wheel walker), about toe-touch/partial weight bearing. You can teach him about the importance of pain management in recovery and how being in pain can effect his/her ability to participate in physical therapy and may slow his recovery, also about any DVT prophylaxis.