EVANS NURSING EDUCATION & PUBLISHING
Total Hip Replacement
Postoperative Care Plan
A Complete NANDA · NIC · NOC Nursing Care Plan
RN-Written · From Real Clinical Practice
© Evans Nursing Education & Publishing — For educational use by the purchaser. Not for redistribution.
, Clinical Scenario
A 68-year-old client is postoperative day 1 following a total hip arthroplasty (posterior
approach) for severe osteoarthritis. The client reports incisional pain rated 6/10, has an
abductor pillow in place, is on a sequential compression device (SCD) to the unaffected
leg, and has a Foley catheter and PCA pump in place. Vital signs are stable. The client is
anxious about getting out of bed and unsure about movement restrictions.
Assessment Data
SUBJECTIVE:
"The pain is worse when I try to move."
"I'm scared I'll dislocate it if I move wrong."
Reports tingling sensation in the operative foot
OBJECTIVE:
Surgical dressing dry and intact, mild serosanguineous drainage noted
Operative leg maintained in neutral abduction with pillow
Pedal pulses +2 bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds
Temperature 37.4°C (99.3°F), HR 88, BP 132/78, RR 18, SpO2 97% on room air
Hgb 10.8 g/dL (post-op)
Client guarding the operative leg, facial grimacing with movement
Nursing Diagnosis 1: Acute Pain
Related to: Surgical tissue trauma and joint manipulation
As evidenced by: Verbalized pain rating of 6/10, guarding, facial grimacing, reluctance to move
GOALS / EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Client will report pain at 3/10 or less within 30-60 minutes of intervention
Total Hip Replacement
Postoperative Care Plan
A Complete NANDA · NIC · NOC Nursing Care Plan
RN-Written · From Real Clinical Practice
© Evans Nursing Education & Publishing — For educational use by the purchaser. Not for redistribution.
, Clinical Scenario
A 68-year-old client is postoperative day 1 following a total hip arthroplasty (posterior
approach) for severe osteoarthritis. The client reports incisional pain rated 6/10, has an
abductor pillow in place, is on a sequential compression device (SCD) to the unaffected
leg, and has a Foley catheter and PCA pump in place. Vital signs are stable. The client is
anxious about getting out of bed and unsure about movement restrictions.
Assessment Data
SUBJECTIVE:
"The pain is worse when I try to move."
"I'm scared I'll dislocate it if I move wrong."
Reports tingling sensation in the operative foot
OBJECTIVE:
Surgical dressing dry and intact, mild serosanguineous drainage noted
Operative leg maintained in neutral abduction with pillow
Pedal pulses +2 bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds
Temperature 37.4°C (99.3°F), HR 88, BP 132/78, RR 18, SpO2 97% on room air
Hgb 10.8 g/dL (post-op)
Client guarding the operative leg, facial grimacing with movement
Nursing Diagnosis 1: Acute Pain
Related to: Surgical tissue trauma and joint manipulation
As evidenced by: Verbalized pain rating of 6/10, guarding, facial grimacing, reluctance to move
GOALS / EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Client will report pain at 3/10 or less within 30-60 minutes of intervention
