A patient is on bed rest after sustaining injuries in a car accident.Which nursing action helps prevent complications of immobility?
A)Decreasing fluid intake to ease dependent edema
B)Turning the patient every 2 hours and providing a low-air-loss mattress
C)Raising the head of the bed to maximize the patient's lung inflation
D)Bathing and feeding the patient to decrease energy expenditure

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To avoid pressure ulcers in an immobilized patient,the nurse must assess the skin thoroughly and use such preventive measures as regular turning,a low-air-loss mattress,and a trapeze (if the patient's condition allows).The nurse should increase,not decrease,the patient's fluid intake to help prevent renal calculi,which may result from immobility.To prevent atelectasis,another complication of immobility,having the patient cough,deep-breathe,and use an incentive spirometer would be more effective than raising the head of the bed.Instead of bathing and feeding the patient,the nurse should promote independent self-care activities whenever possible to prepare the patient for a return to the previous health status.

A Patient Is on Bed Rest After Sustaining Injuries in a Car