Safe and Effective Care Environment Q 12
A client with a total hip replacement requires special equipment. Which equipment would assist the client with a total hip replacement with activities of daily living?
A. High-seat commode
B. Recliner
C. TENS unit
D. Abduction pillow
Correct Answer: A. High-seat commode
The equipment that can help with activities of daily living is the high-seat commode. The hip should be kept higher than the knee. There is also equipment available for patients to help them follow their newly prescribed hip precautions. Some patients purchase raised toilet seats and chairs to prevent them from bending at the hip more than 90 degrees.
Option B: The recliner is good because it prevents 90° flexion but not daily activities. Sock aids and dressing sticks are often used to make dressing and changing clothing easier for the patient. Reachers or “pinchers” can also be used by a patient following a total hip arthroplasty to help them grab items from the ground and other areas without breaking the hip precautions.
Option C: A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit helps with pain management. Compliance with hip precautions can be challenging for patients to follow. Many activities that were once simple to perform are instantly complicated. Activities of daily living can be significantly affected. Examples of activities of daily living include bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and transferring. Lack of independence can leave patients very upset and disheartened further affecting the rate of compliance.
Option D: An abduction pillow is used to prevent adduction of the hip and possibly dislocation of the prosthesis. There are also environmental modifications that can help prevent hip dislocations; these include removing all tripping hazards from home, moving around the layout of home furniture so that there are fewer turns, and installing grab rails around the house.