Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Flashcards

A patient who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) via posterior approach is being educated on hip precautions. Which movement is CONTRAINDICATED?

Answer: Hip flexion beyond 90 degrees

After posterior approach THA, hip flexion beyond 90 degrees risks posterior dislocation of the prosthetic joint and must be strictly avoided.

A patient post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has a target of 90 degrees of knee flexion before discharge. Which intervention BEST achieves this goal?

Answer: Continuous passive motion (CPM) combined with active ROM exercises

CPM combined with active ROM exercises promotes early joint mobility, reduces adhesion formation, and helps achieve the 90-degree flexion discharge benchmark.

A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is scheduled for hand rehabilitation. Which principle BEST guides joint protection education?

Answer: Distribute force over larger joints and avoid prolonged static gripping

Joint protection principles for RA include using larger joints for heavy tasks, distributing loads, and avoiding prolonged or forceful gripping to reduce joint stress.

Following a lower extremity amputation, which positioning practice in the early post-operative period is MOST likely to cause a hip flexion contracture?

Answer: Elevating the residual limb on a pillow for extended periods

Prolonged residual limb elevation in hip flexion promotes hip flexor shortening, leading to a flexion contracture that complicates prosthetic fitting and gait.

A patient with an above-knee amputation is beginning prosthetic gait training. Which nursing observation indicates the prosthetic socket fit is INAPPROPRIATE?

Answer: Circumferential skin redness and blistering on the distal residual limb

Skin breakdown, blistering, and redness on the residual limb indicate excessive pressure or pistoning within the socket, signaling a poor fit requiring adjustment.

A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the right hand. Which nursing priority is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Facilitate desensitization therapy and graded motor imagery

CRPS management includes desensitization techniques and graded motor imagery to retrain the central nervous system's pain processing and restore function.