What assistive device should the practical nurse provide for Mrs. Cheng while she awaits surgery for a fractured hip?

What assistive device should the practical nurse provide for Mrs. Cheng while she awaits surgery for a fractured hip?

• A. A urinary catheter, as a bedpan may not be used
• B. Side rails in the 'up' position for Mrs. Cheng to use for moving herself
• C. A trapeze to facilitate lifting movement
• D. A 'geri-chair' so Mrs. Cheng may sit up for meals

Answer: (C)

Assisting a patient with a hip fracture before surgery centers on enabling safe movement in bed. A trapeze gives Mrs. Cheng a firm handhold to lift and shift her weight, letting her raise her torso, reposition from side to side, and perform bed-to-chair transfers with less strain on the injured hip. This promotes independence in bed, helps prevent complications from immobility (like pressure ulcers and poor circulation), and supports safer future movement as she recovers. While side rails can help prevent falls, they don’t actively assist movement and can pose safety concerns if the patient tries to maneuver against them. A geri-chair helps with sitting up for meals but doesn’t aid in the essential task of moving and repositioning in bed. Urinary devices address elimination, not mobility.

Assisting a patient with a hip fracture before surgery centers on enabling safe movement in bed. A trapeze gives Mrs. Cheng a firm handhold to lift and shift her weight, letting her raise her torso, reposition from side to side, and perform bed-to-chair transfers with less strain on the injured hip. This promotes independence in bed, helps prevent complications from immobility (like pressure ulcers and poor circulation), and supports safer future movement as she recovers.

While side rails can help prevent falls, they don’t actively assist movement and can pose safety concerns if the patient tries to maneuver against them. A geri-chair helps with sitting up for meals but doesn’t aid in the essential task of moving and repositioning in bed. Urinary devices address elimination, not mobility.