Editing Medical-Surgical Nursing – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 10==
The licensed practical nurse is collecting data on a patient who had a total hip replacement using a posterior approach. Which observation requires immediate reporting?
# An abduction pillow is in place between the legs.
# The operative leg appears shorter than the other leg and is turned outward, and the patient reports sudden severe pain.
# The patient is using a raised toilet seat.
# The patient rates hip pain as 3 out of 10 after physical therapy.

'''Answer:''' Option 2, the shortened, externally rotated leg with sudden severe pain.

''Rationale:'' Shortening with external rotation and sudden severe pain are classic signs of hip prosthesis dislocation and must be reported immediately; the nurse keeps the patient still and does not attempt to reposition the leg. Options 1 and 3 describe correct measures that maintain hip precautions. Option 4 describes expected, manageable postoperative discomfort after therapy.