Evolve HESI Practice Exam

After a hemiarthroplasty, what should the nurse instruct a client to do to prevent hip dislocation?

1. Avoid bending at the waist

2. Place a pillow between the knees while lying in bed

3. Limit movement of the operated leg

4. Only sit in low chairs

The correct answer is: Place a pillow between the knees while lying in bed

Placing a pillow between the knees while lying in bed is an effective strategy to prevent hip dislocation after a hemiarthroplasty. This intervention helps maintain proper alignment of the hip joint, which is crucial in the early postoperative period. By keeping the legs apart and preventing them from rolling together, the risk of the new hip joint dislocating is reduced. This is particularly important since the range of motion may still be limited due to surgical precautions. While avoiding bending at the waist, limiting movement of the operated leg, and avoiding low chairs are also important considerations in hip dislocation prevention, they mainly focus on compensatory strategies rather than maintaining alignment. Using a pillow between the knees directly supports the anatomical positioning needed to protect the surgical site during healing, making it a key practice for patients recovering from this type of surgery.