Reference no: EM133860006

Assignment:

Susan Weil is a 76-year-old white female with a history of hypertension and osteoporosis. On Tuesday afternoon, she was admitted to the emergency department after falling off her neighbor's porch and experiencing severe right hip pain. Susan underwent a right hemiarthroplasty for a right hip fracture; the patient is post-op day 3. The incisional dressing is clean, dry, and intact. Her vital signs are BP 158/72, HR 78, RR 16, Temp. 98.5oF, SpO2 98% on room air. She reports her right hip pain as a 6/10. Neurovascular status to RLE is intact.

Physician's orders:

· Vital signs every shift and prn

· Neurovascular assessment every 4 hours and prn

· Total Hip Precautions (abductor pillow while in bed, no crossing legs, do not bend greater than 90 degrees at the hip)

· Out of bed to chair/ using a walker

· Physical therapy consult

· Vicodin 5mg/300mg 1-2 tablets every four hours as needed for pain

· Start Lovenox 40mg subcutaneously every 12 hours today

· Incentive spirometer every hour while awake

· Fall precautions

1. What are the top three priority assessment findings or cues that the nurse must recognize as clinically significant?

2. What is the underlying cause/pathophysiology?

3. What body systems will you most thoroughly assess?

4. What is the patient likely feeling right now?