In general, amputation of limbs is the result of trauma, peripheral vascular disease, tumors, and congenital disorders. For the purpose of this plan of care, amputation refers to the surgical/traumatic removal of a limb. Upper extremity amputations are generally due to trauma from industrial accidents. Reattachment surgery may be possible for fingers, hands, and arms. Lower-extremity amputations are performed much more frequently than upper-extremity amputations. Five levels are currently used in lower-extremity amputation: foot and ankle, below knee (BKA), knee disarticulation and above (thigh), knee-hip disarticulation; and hemipelvectomy and translumbar amputation. There are two types of amputations: (1) open (provisional), which requires strict aseptic techniques and later revisions, and (2) closed, or “flap.”
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing care planning for patients who had an amputation includes: support psychological and physiological adjustment, alleviate pain, prevent complications, promote mobility and functional abilities, provide information about surgical procedure/prognosis and treatment needs.
Here are four (4) amputation nursing care plans:
- Impaired Physical Mobility
- Risk for Infection
- Risk for Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
- Situational Low Self-Esteem
Impaired Physical Mobility: Limitation in independent, purposeful physical movement of the body or of one or more extremities.
Related to:
- Loss of a limb (particularly a lower extremity); pain/discomfort; perceptual impairment (altered sense of
- balance)
Possibly evidenced by
- Reluctance to attempt movement
- Impaired coordination; decreased muscle strength, control, and mass
Desired Outcomes:
- Verbalize understanding of individual situation, treatment regimen, and safety measures.
- Maintain position of function as evidenced by absence of contractures.
- Demonstrate techniques/behaviors that enable resumption of activities.
- Display willingness to participate in activities.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Encourage him to perform prescribes exercises. | To prevent stump trauma. |
| Provide stump care on a routine basis: inspect area, cleanse and dry thoroughly, and rewrap stump with elastic bandage or air splint, or apply a stump shrinker (heavy stockinette sock), for “delayed” prosthesis. | Provides opportunity to evaluate healing and note complications (unless covered by immediate prosthesis). Wrapping stump controls edema and helps form stump into conical shape to facilitate fitting of prosthesis. Note: Air splint may be preferred, because it permits visual inspection of the wound |
| Measure circumference periodically | Measurement is done to estimate shrinkage to ensure proper fit of sock and prosthesis. |
| Rewrap stump immediately with an elastic bandage, elevate if “immediate or early” cast is accidentally dislodged. Prepare for reapplication of cast. | Edema will occur rapidly, and rehabilitation can be delayed |
| Assist with specified ROM exercises for both the affected and unaffected limbs beginning early in postoperative stage. | Prevents contracture deformities, which can develop rapidly and could delay prosthesis usage. |
| Encourage active and isometric exercises for upper torso and unaffected limbs. | Increases muscle strength to facilitate transfers and ambulation and promote mobility and more normal lifestyle. |
| Maintain knee extension. | To prevent hamstring muscle contractures. |
| Provide trochanter rolls as indicated. | Prevents external rotation of lower-limb stump |
| Instruct patient to lie in prone position as tolerated at least twice a day with pillow under abdomen and lower-extremity stump. | Strengthens extensor muscles and prevents flexion contracture of the hip, which can begin to develop within 24 hr of sustained malpositioning. |
| Caution against keeping pillow under lower-extremity stump or allowing BKA limb to hang dependently over side of bed or chair. | Use of pillows can cause permanent flexion contracture of hip; a dependent position of stump impairs venous return and may increase edema formation. |
| Demonstrate and assist with transfer techniques and use of mobility aids like trapeze, crutches, or walker. | Facilitates self-care and patient’s independence. Proper transfer techniques prevent shearing abrasions and dermal injury related to “scooting.” |
| Assist with ambulation. | Reduces potential for injury. Ambulation after lower-limb amputation depends on timing of prosthesis placement. |
| Instruct patient in stump-conditioning exercises | Hardens the stump by toughening the skin and altering feedback of resected nerves to facilitate use of prosthesis. |
| Refer to rehabilitation team | Provides for creation of exercise and activity program to meet individual needs and strengths, and identifies mobility functional aids to promote independence. Early use of a temporary prosthesis promotes activity and enhances general well-being and positive outlook. Note: Vocational counseling and retraining also may be indicated. |
| Provide foam or flotation mattress. | Reduces pressure on skin and tissues that can impair circulation, potentiating risk of tissue ischemia and breakdown. |
See Also
You may also like the following posts and care plans:
- Nursing Care Plan: The Ultimate Guide and Database – the ultimate database of nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions! Get the complete list!
- Nursing Diagnosis: The Complete Guide and List – archive of different nursing diagnoses with their definition, related factors, goals and nursing interventions with rationale.
Musculoskeletal Care Plans
Care plans related to the musculoskeletal system:
- Amputation | 4 Care Plans
- Congenital Hip Dysplasia | 4 Care Plans
- Fracture | 8 Care Plans
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis | 4 Care Plans
- Laminectomy (Disc Surgery) | 8 Care Plans
- Osteoarthritis | 4 Care Plans
- Osteoporosis | 4 Care Plans
- Rheumatoid Arthritis | 6 Care Plans
- Scoliosis | 4 Care Plans
- Total Joint (Knee, Hip) Replacement | 5 Care Plans
this page is so helpful. most nurses are so poor in writing care plans