Nursing Assessment And Comprehensive Post Operative...

Hip fractures are one of the most common causes of extended hospital stay among the elderly, and approximately one third of patients undergoing hip arthroplasty surgery will die within the first year (Gregersen et al., 2012). The specialised nature of the orthopaedic ward is a complex environment for not only nurses, but for all health care professionals. It is the role of the registered nurse within the orthopaedic ward to provide holistic assessment and comprehensive post-operative planning to facilitate client centred care for an elderly patient undergoing a total hip arthroplasty (Walker, 2012). The purpose of this essay is to identify and prioritise appropriate nursing assessments and care provided for an elderly man (Mr. Simons) transferred to the Orthopaedic ward from the Emergency Department via operating theatres. The discussion will initially consider the environment of the orthopaedic ward and the role that the nurse must assume to provide high quality care. Focusing brief ly on the ageing population and the impact that hospitalisation has on the elderly, the essay will then rationalise and prioritise current nursing assessments considering the primary and secondary assessment strategy and consideration of major body systems. Moreover, the discussion will detail and rationalise the appropriate management of patient safety, comfort and communication with substantiated planning of care by the registered nurse in the first eight hours of stay. The post-operative care