The nurse is planning care for a client with a herniated disc. What intervention is considered part of conservative treatment of herniated disc?
1. Left lateral Sims' position with bathroom privileges
2. Bed rest and methocarbamol (Robaxin) to decrease muscle spasms
3. Small incision in the spinal column to remove the disk
4. Daily physical therapy and ambulation with crutches
Answer: 2
Conservative treatment means without surgical intervention. The most common conservative therapy includes bed rest and a muscle relaxant. An incision into the spinal column is not considered conservative treatment. Increased mobility may aggravate the herniated disc condition. (Lewis 8 ed, p. 1629).