Orthopedic Care: Nursing Considerations

At the completion of this educational activity, the learner will be able to:

1. Select two (2) positioning precautions to prevent dislocation following a total hip arthroplasty.
2. Identify three (3) complications that may occur following total joint replacement.
3. List three (3) complications that may occur in the elderly population following limb amputation.

At the completion of this educational activity, the learner will be able to demonstrate knowledge about orthopedic nursing care by passing a quiz with 85% or greater accuracy.

Lois Platt, MSN, RN

Ms. Platt has had extensive experience in a variety of health care settings, including as Staff Development Coordinator in a Long-Term Care facility in Arizona. She also worked as a Term Assistant Professor of Nursing for the University of Alaska Anchorage AAS Nursing Program for many years as well as coordinating and teaching the Certified Nursing Assistant Program in Valdez, Alaska. Prior to entering nursing education, Ms. Platt worked in both staff nurse and Clinical Resource Manager positions in a small Critical Access Hospital in rural Alaska. Her work experience also includes staff and charge nurse positions in an Intensive Care Unit in Connecticut. Ms. Platt obtained a Diploma in nursing from Joseph Lawrence School of Nursing in New London, Connecticut; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut; and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska.