The postoperative nursing care plan for a client who has had a right leg amputation includes:
1. Applying ice packs to the residual limb for 72 hours
2. Having the client lie on his or her abdomen for 30 minutes 3 to 4 times/day
3. Wrapping the residual limb with elastic bandages from proximal to distal ends
4. Managing client's pain with anti-inflammatory medications
Answer: 2
Client should lie on the abdomen for 30 minutes 3 to 4 times/day and position the hip in extension while prone. Also, to prevent flexion contractures clients should avoid sitting in a chair for more than an hour. The residual limb is wrapped from distal to proximal. Ice packs are not used on the residual limb after surgery because the cold restricts blood flow. Anti-inflammatory medications may be used for pain relief but not to prevent edema. (Lewis 8 ed, p. 1612).