The patient is an elderly gentleman who has been on bed rest for the past several days.When getting the patient up,the nurse should:
A)tell the patient not to move his legs when dangling.
B)tell the patient to hold his breath while dangling.
C)raise the head of the bed and allow a few minutes before dangling.
D)have the patient stand without dangling.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Physiological changes associated with aging and prolonged bed rest may influence the effectiveness of the baroreceptors.For these patients,moving to the dangling position may cause a gravity-induced drop in blood pressure;thus,it is recommended to raise the head of the bed and allow a few minutes before dangling.Interventions to minimize orthostatic hypotension include movement of the legs and feet in the dangling position to promote venous return via intermittent contraction and relaxation of the skeletal leg muscles,and asking the patient to take several deep breaths before and during dangling.Dangling a patient before standing is an intermediate step that allows assessment of the individual before changing positions to maintain safety and prevent injury to the patient.

The Patient Is an Elderly Gentleman Who Has Been on Bed