Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Manila, Philippines
College of Nursing
A Case Presentation:
Above Knee Amputation (AKA) and
Below Knee Amputation (BKA)
Submitted by:
Tapnio, Crizzel Ann C.
BSN IV
Submitted to:
A. Nurse-centered
At the end of the study, the student nurses will be able to:
General Objective:
To better understand the disease process, how the disease is acquired and how it
progresses, the signs and symptoms that are manifested, the treatment for the condition,
and the nursing responsibilities.
Specific Objectives:
Define what Above Knee Amputation (AKA) and Below Knee Amputation
(BKA) are
Trace the pathophysiology of Mangled Extremity
Enumerate the different signs and symptoms of Mangled Extremity
Formulate and apply nursing care plans utilizing the nursing process
Learn new clinical skills as well as sharpen current clinical skills required in
the management of Mangled Extremity
B. Patient-centered
At the end of the study, the client will be able to:
General Objective:
Gain knowledge on how the client developed the disease, the different kinds of
treatments involved, and comply to instructions prescribed to treat the disease.
Specific Objectives:
Gain better understanding of the treatment involved for AKA and BKA.
Identify different alternative treatment methods
Demonstrate compliance to the treatment management
Determine the effectiveness and the appropriateness of the treatment
given.
II. Introduction
“I have two hands, the left and the right” is a song which cannot be sung by an
amputated patient. A patient who has been amputated because of one of the following
reasons: (1) accident (2) in born or (3) sickness.
Amputation is performed to relieve pain to stop blood loss and prevent infection
after the limb undergoes severe damage to prevent the spread of bone cancer and to
prevent the spread of gangrene as a complication to injuries, frostbite, diabetes, or any
other sickness that causes impairment to blood circulation. (Brunner & Suddarth’s,
Medical Surgical Nursing, Volume 1, 13th edition.)
More than 90% of amputations performed in the United States are due to circulatory
complications of diabetes. Sixty to eighty percent of these operations involve the legs or
feet. Although attempts have been made in the United States to better manage diabetes
and the foot ulcers that can be complications of the disease, the number of resulting
amputations has not decreased.
In Philippines, DOH states that amputation commonly happens to only three types
of patients, a patient who has complications regarding his/her sickness (i.e. diabetes),
congenital defects or a patient who has been in severe trauma causing the need to
remove the affected limb.
This case study that will be discuss is about amputation due to a motor vehicle
accident as evidenced by the patient who is the primary focus of this research. According
to the World Health Organization, Motor vehicle accidents are among the top 5 risk factors
of death and one of the top two reasons of amputation. In the Philippines however,
vehicular accidents, which is also included in the general category of Physical Accidents,
ranks as the second in causing the death of millions of Filipinos for the year 2018.
According to the National Limb Loss Information Center, almost two million people
are living with a limb amputation in the United States as of September 6, 2018. The loss
of a limb can create a lifetime of complications, decrease functioning, and cause
emotional distress. In some cases, it may permanently change certain aspects of a
person’s life. But the loss of a limb does not just affect the individual who suffered the
amputation; it also affects the entire family. (https://www.ahcmedia.com/articles/140552-
traumatic-amputations)
Some current statistics (as of 2018) about Mangled extremity are the following; it is
estimated that there are 2.1 million people living with limb loss in the USA, and that
number is expected to double by 2050.185,000 people have an amputation each year.
This means that 300 to 500 amputations are performed every day. Around 30% of
people with limb loss experience depression and/or anxiety. 85% of lower limb
amputations are proceeded by a foot ulcer. (https://www.ahcmedia.com/articles/140552-
traumatic-amputations).
III. Patient’s Data
Developmental History
Toddler Autonomy vs. Can fully walk alone without holding onto
Shame and Doubt support bars at the age of 1 year and 8
(18 months to 3
months. Was claimed to be very anxious
years)
about many things and enjoys playing
alone. Very negativistic about many things.
Preschooler Initiative vs. Guilt Play was the most important activity of the
day. Started to go along with peers and
(4 to 5 years old)
look for adventures. At this age, he can
manage to wash himself alone and toilet
training was established.
School Age Industry vs. Started grade 1 at the age of 6 years old.
Inferiority He enjoyed the company of his friends and
(6 to 12 years old)
also loves to study. Shows interest in
studying and playing.
Early adult Intimacy vs. Already got married at the age of 22 years
Isolation old. And he had 3 children; some were
(20 to 40 years
already professional and some got married
old)
and have children too.
At Present Now, it’s his concern to have more
grandchildren and his children would raise
them properly. He is ever glad that his
family has been very supportive in these
times.
General Appearance
Patient is not having fever, conscious, coherent, responsive w h e n
being asked. He has a slender body type; voice is clear when he talks
a n d a p p e a r s relaxed and comfortable.
Skin. Patient has cool and has good skin turgor. There is absence of rashes and itchiness
and no change in skin color.
Head. Patient is normocephalic, proportion to the body. Sometimes he
experienced headache but was relieved by taking OTC medications. There is even
distribution of hair and has slightly dry hair but has no presence of flakes.
Eyes. He has pinkish, palpable conjunctiva, does not wear glasses and has clear vision
with absence of eye infection.
Ears. Symmetrical, non-tender and smooth texture.
Nose. The nose is at the midline of the face, palpable, with no presence of swelling. He
also experienced colds due to weather conditions.
Mouth. He does not wear any dentures but experiences toothaches sometimes
due to lack of oral care.
Neck .There was no presence of neck stiffness or pain. It can move regularly and there is
no sign of swelling.
Upper Extremities. Warm and has good skin turgor, smooth texture, and non-tender.
Breast. There was absence of lumps, nipple discharge, scales or cracks around
the nipples.
Lungs. He has no cough, his not wheezing or having any lung disease.
Abdomen. Flabby, soft and non-tender
Lower Extremities. He has impaired mobility thus he really needs assistance upon
movement.
GENITOURINARY SYSTEM. No presence of sexually transmitted disease. Fore skin
retracts easily. Testicles are sensitive to pressure firm, smooth and equal in size. No
swelling, lesions, itching noted in the reproductive area.
NEUROLOGIC SYSTEM. Has clear thinking and has slight changes in emotional
state such as changes in mood and sometimes being irritable because of his health
condition. Has a good sense of memory and shows no signs of speech problems.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. He is able to tolerate cold and hot temperature; he is above the
normal appropriate body mass index.
The human foot is a very complex and highly developed structure. The bones of
the foot provide mechanical support for the soft tissues, helping the foot withstand the
weight of the body.
Metatarsals – These bones connect the phalanges to the tarsals. There are five in
number – one for each digit.
Phalanges – The bones of the toes. Each toe has three phalanges – a proximal,
intermediate and distal (except the big toe, which only has two phalanges).
The Femur
Patella
It is classified as a sesamoid type bone due to its position within the quadriceps
tendon, and is the largest sesamoid bone in the body.
Tibia
Fibula
The fibula is a bone located within the lateral aspect of the leg. Its main function is
to act as an attachment for muscles, and not as a weight-bearer.
Fascia Lata
Fascia is defined as a sheet or band of fibrous tissue lying deep to the skin that
lines, invests and separates structures within the body. There are three general
classifications of fascia:
The gluteal region is an anatomical area located posteriorly to the pelvic girdle, at
the proximal end of the femur. The muscles in this region move the lower limb at the hip
joint.
The muscles of the gluteal region can be broadly divided into two groups:
Superficial abductors and extenders – A group of large muscles that abduct and
extend the femur. Includes the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and
tensor fascia lata.
Deep lateral rotators – A group of smaller muscles that mainly act to laterally rotate the
femur. Includes the quadratus femoris, piriformis, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior
and obturator internus.
Muscles in the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh
The muscles acting on the foot can be divided into two distinct groups; extrinsic
and intrinsic muscles
The extrinsic muscles arise from the anterior, posterior and lateral compartments
of the leg. They are mainly responsible for actions such as eversion, inversion, plantar
flexion and dorsiflexion of the foot.
The intrinsic muscles are located within the foot and are responsible for the fine
motor actions of the foot, for example movement of individual digits.
NERVES
The sciatic nerve is a major nerve of the lower limb. It is a thick flat band,
approximately 2cm wide – the largest nerve in the body. In this article, we shall look at
the anatomy of the sciatic nerve – its anatomical course, motor and sensory functions,
and its clinical correlations.
Nerve roots: L4 – S2
Sensory: Innervates the skin over the upper lateral and lower
posterolateral leg. Also supplies (via branches) cutaneous
innervation to the skin of the anterolateral leg, and the
dorsum of the foot.
Sensory: Supplies the vast majority of the skin over the dorsum of the foot, apart from the
webbing between the hallux and the second digit. It also supplies the anterior and lateral
aspect of the inferior third of the leg.
In the femoral triangle, the profunda femoris artery arises from the posterolateral aspect
of the femoral artery. It travels posteriorly and distally, giving off three main branches:
Perforating branches – Consists of three or four arteries that perforate the adductor
magnus, contributing to the supply of the muscles in the medial and posterior thigh.
Lateral femoral circumflex artery – Wraps round the anterior, lateral side of the femur,
supplying some of the muscles on the lateral aspect of the thigh.
Medial femoral circumflex artery – Wraps round the posterior side of the femur,
supplying its neck and head. In a fracture of the femoral neck this artery can easily be
damaged, and avascular necrosis of the femur head can occur.
After exiting the femoral triangle, the femoral artery continues down the anterior
surface of the thigh, via a tunnel known as the adductor canal. During its descent the
artery supplies the anterior thigh muscles.
The adductor canal ends at an opening in the adductor magnus, called
the adductor hiatus. The femoral artery moves through this opening, and enters the
posterior compartment of the thigh, proximal to the knee. The femoral artery now known
as the popliteal artery.
In the Leg
The dorsalis pedis artery begins as the anterior tibial artery enters the foot. It
passes over the dorsal aspect of the tarsal bones, then moves inferiorly, towards the sole
of the foot. It then anastomoses with the lateral plantar artery to form the deep plantar
arch. The dorsalis pedis artery supplies the tarsal bones and the dorsal aspect of the
metatarsals. Via the deep plantar arch, it also contributes to the supply of the toes.
Posterior tibial
The posterior tibial artery enters the sole of the foot through the tarsal tunnel. It
then splits into the lateral and medial plantar arteries. These arteries supply the plantar
side of the foot, and contributes to the supply of the toes via the deep plantar arch.
On the posterior surface of the knee, the anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular
veins unite to form the popliteal vein. The popliteal vein enters the thigh via the adductor
canal.
The Thigh
Once the popliteal vein has entered the thigh, it is known as the femoral vein. It is
situated anteriorly, accompanying the femoral artery.
The deep vein of the thigh (profunda femoris vein) is the other main venous
structure in the thigh. Via perforating veins, it drains blood from the thigh muscles. It then
empties into the distal section of the femoral vein.
The femoral vein leaves the thigh by running underneath the inguinal ligament, at
which point it is known as the external iliac vein.
The gluteal region is drained by inferior and superior gluteal veins. These empty
into the internal iliac vein.
The superficial veins of the lower limb run in the subcutaneous tissue. There are
two major superficial veins – the great saphenous vein, and the small saphenous vein.
Surgically, the great saphenous vein can be harvested and used as a vessel in
coronary artery bypasses.
The Small Saphenous Vein
The small saphenous vein is formed by the dorsal venous arch of the foot, and the
dorsal vein of the little toe. It moves up the posterior side of the leg, passing posteriorly
to the lateral malleolus, along the lateral border of the calcaneal tendon. It moves between
the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle and empties into the popliteal vein in
the popliteal fossa.
The lymphatic system functions to drain tissue fluid, plasma proteins and other
cellular debris back into the blood stream, and is also involved in immune defence. Once
this collection of substances enters the lymphatic vessels it is known as lymph; lymph is
subsequently filtered by lymph nodes and directed into the venous system.
The lymphatic vessels of the lower limb can be divided into two major groups;
superficial vessels and deep vessels. Their distribution is similar to the veins of the lower
limb.
The superficial vessels can be divided into two major subsets; (i) medial vessels,
which closely follow the course of the great saphenous vein and; (ii) lateral vessels which
are more closely associated with the small saphenous vein.
Medial Vessels
The medial group originate on the dorsal surface of the foot. They travel up the
anterior and posterior aspects of the medial lower leg, with the great saphenous vein,
passing with it behind the medial condyle of the femur. This group of vessels ends in the
groin, draining into the sub inguinal group of the inguinal lymph nodes.
Lateral Vessels. The lateral vessels arise from the lateral surface of the foot and either
accompany the small saphenous vein to enter the popliteal nodes, or ascend in front of
the leg and cross just below the knee joint to join the medial group.
DEEP LYMPHATIC VESSELS
These are far fewer in number than their superficial counterparts and accompany
the deep arteries of the lower leg. They are found in 3 main groups: anterior tibial,
posterior tibial and peroneal following the corresponding artery respectively, and entering
the popliteal lymph nodes.
POPLITEAL NODES
a. Pathophysiology
a.1 Schematic Diagram (Book-Based)
Control active
hemorrhage
1. Restore anatomic
To OR for emergent
alignment of extremity NO Persistent hemorrhage or YES
operative exploration
2. Neurovascular hemodynamic instability
and vascular control
assessment
Mangled Extremity
The term “mangled extremity” refers to an injury to an extremity so severe that the
viability of the limb is often questionable and loss of the limb a likely outcome. The
mangled extremity has been previously defined as a complex fracture with additional
involvement of at least two of the following: artery, tendon, nerve, or soft tissue (skin, fat,
and muscle). This injury is always a result of high-energy trauma caused by some
combination of crush, shear, and/or blast.
The skin is often degloved with large areas of loss secondary to avulsion or
ischemia and the fascial compartments are typically incompletely opened by explosion or
tear. Muscles are typically damaged at both local and regional levels by direct as well as
indirect injury. Furthermore, soft tissue planes are usually extensively disrupted and,
when present, contaminants generally infiltrate all of these tissue planes. Not only are the
injury patterns themselves complex, but the medical, psychological, and socioeconomic
impacts that these injuries have on the patient make their management a difficult task,
even in the most experienced of hands.
Although most of the advances that have taken place in the management of the
mangled extremity have occurred during times of war, the majority of limb-threatening
injuries seen in practice today are the result of high-speed motor vehicle collisions.
Injuries to the lower and upper extremities occur more frequently than head injuries in
motorcycle crashes.59 Modification of passenger restraints, vehicle safety engineering,
and the legislation of seatbelt and air bag protection appear to be decreasing the mortality
rate associated with motor vehicle crashes. As a result, the incidence of severe lower
extremity trauma may be increasing.
Severe mangled foot injuries are rare in civilian patients and these injuries have
not been widely studied. Both civilian and military clinicians have determined that the
extent of the soft tissue injury is the major deciding factor for salvage versus amputation
of the mangled foot. Keeling et al. suggested that an assessment by at least two surgeons
with limb salvage experience is the most consistent way to decide whether a limb has the
potential to be saved.
Ellington et al. reported on 174 open severe hind foot or ankle injuries that were
part of the prospective LEAP study, of which 116 were salvaged and 58 had a below-
knee amputation (BKA). Using the SIP as the major outcome measure at 2 years, patients
with foot injuries that required flaps or ankle fusions did significantly worse than the BKA
patients. Shawen et al. also noted that foot injuries requiring free flaps and patients whose
pain management require large doses of narcotics or nerve blocks had the worst clinical
outcomes.
(Predisposing/Precipitating factors)
According to the World Health Organization, people aged between 15 and 44 years
account for 48% of global road traffic deaths. From a young age, males are more likely to
be involved in road traffic crashes than females. About three quarters (73%) of all road
traffic deaths occur among young males under the age of 25 years who are almost 3
times as likely to be killed in a road traffic crash as young females.
Motor vehicle (MV) crashes are the leading cause of death among US adolescents
aged 16 to 19 (Olsen et al., 2017).
Teenage drivers have higher crash rates than older drivers (National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, 2016), making motor vehicle crashes the leading cause of
mortality and a major cause of injury for U.S. teenagers. (as cited by Simons-Morton et
al., 2016).
The high crash rates of novice teenage drivers are thought to be due to early age
at licensing, inexperience, and youthful risk taking, exacerbated by complex driving
conditions. Both age at licensure and inexperience seem to make independent
contributions to the high rate of crashes among novice drivers. Newly licensed drivers of
any age experience high rates of crashes that decline rapidly for a period of months, and
then more slowly for a period of years. However, the older the age at licensure, the lower
the initial crash rate and the faster the decline. Despite a decline over time among
novices, crash rates, particularly among teenagers, remain elevated relative to
experienced adults throughout the early years of driving (Simons-Morton et al., 2011).
In addition to young age and inexperience, crash rates are also higher under
certain driving conditions, such as passengers and driving at night. Speeding and other
risky driving behaviors are commonly associated with crashes among young drivers.
Similarly, crash risk is higher in the presence of teenage passengers, particularly teenage
male passengers, and is lower in the presence of adult passengers. Through their actions
or manner, passengers can increase or decrease attention to the driving task and exert
direct pressure to drive in a more or less risky or safe way. (Simons-Morton et al., 2011).
According to a study by Klauer et al. (2018), their analysis showed that the
performance of secondary tasks, including dialing or reaching for a cell phone, texting,
reaching for an object other than a cell phone, looking at a roadside object, and eating,
was associated with a significantly increased risk of a crash or near-crash among novice
drivers. Among experienced drivers, only dialing a cell phone was associated with an
increased risk. The secondary tasks associated with the risk of a crash or near-crash all
required the driver to look away from the road ahead.
Alcohol is a depressant of the CNS, meaning it slows activity down. Does this
surprise you? Many people think that alcohol is a “pick-me-up” experience because,
initially, when people begin to drink, it causes them to become more animated and less
reserved. But the opposite occurs as they continue to drink and more alcohol enters the
brain.
The mangled extremity has been previously defined as a complex fracture with
additional involvement of at least two of the following: artery, tendon, nerve, or soft tissue
(skin, fat, and muscle). This injury is always a result of high-energy trauma caused by
some combination of crush, shear, and/or blast.
The skin is often degloved with large areas of loss secondary to avulsion or
ischemia and the fascial compartments are typically incompletely opened by explosion or
tear.
Muscles are typically damaged at both local and regional levels by direct as well
as indirect injury. Furthermore, soft tissue planes are usually extensively disrupted and,
when present, contaminants generally infiltrate all of these tissue planes.
Limb-threatening injuries are often associated with vascular insult. Arterial injuries
usually present with either hard or soft signs suggestive of injury. Examples of hard signs
that should be documented and investigated include pulsatile bleeding, the presence of
a rapidly expanding hematoma, a palpable thrill, or audible bruit, as well as the presence
of any of the classic signs of obvious arterial occlusion (pulselessness, pallor,
paresthesia, pain, paralysis, poikilothermia).
There are many reasons an amputation may be necessary. The most common is
poor circulation because of damage or narrowing of the arteries, called peripheral arterial
disease. Without adequate blood flow, the body's cells cannot get oxygen
and nutrients they need from the bloodstream. As a result, the affected tissue begins to
die and infection may set in. The reason for amputation in this study is a severe injury
from a vehicle accident.
Amputation is the treatment of choice for diseased limbs and devastating lower-
extremity injuries for which attempts at salvage and reconstruction may be lengthy,
emotionally and financially costly, and have a less-than-satisfactory result. Lower-
extremity amputations may be performed for the following reasons:
Whatever the indication for amputation, the goal remains length preservation and
surgical reconstruction that maintains the most functional limb possible.
Trauma
Although safer equipment exists and improvements in limb salvage surgery have
been made, traumatic limb loss continues to occur because of industrial and motor vehicle
accidents. These accidents involve high-grade open fractures with associated nerve
injury, soft-tissue loss, and ischemia and unreconstructable neurovascular injury. In this
setting, limb salvage may initially be successful, only to end in an infected painful
extremity that affects the patient's activities of daily living and work. Attempts at limb
salvage are often made with less-than-favorable results, leaving the patient with an
extremity that is less functional than a prosthesis would be and resulting in workdays lost
and expense in treatment.
Severe open (IIIc) fractures with popliteal artery and posterior tibial nerve injuries
can be treated with current techniques; however, treatment is at a high cost, and multiple
surgeries are required. The result is often a leg that is painful, nonfunctional, and less
efficient than a prosthesis.
There are many medical reasons why a patient may not be a good candidate for a
BKA. Below is a list of some of the more common reasons.
Poor blood flow: Patients with poor blood flow should not undergo an operation
without proper evaluation before surgery. Adequate blood flow is necessary for
wound healing. This may mean a referral to a vascular specialist before surgery is
considered. Medical problems: Severe heart or lung disease, a poor immune
system or bleeding problems may be reasons to not have surgery.
Infections or tumors that extend above the knee: In cases where an infection or
tumor goes above the knee joint, a higher level of amputation may be required.
Scar tissue or skin and muscle loss: Patients with scarring, tissue grafting or tissue
loss may not be candidates for a BKA. Such patients may not have adequate skin
or muscle to heal a wound or to use an artificial leg.
Limited knee function or knee pain: Patients who cannot straighten their knee or
have pain and giving way at the knee may find it difficult to use an artificial leg.
Patients who already do not walk or stand due to other reasons may not benefit
from a BKA.
Risk Complication
Pain
Infection
Blood clot
Necrosis
Joint contracture
a. Scalpel – used to cut on skin and muscle tissue to create a surgical incision.
b. Needle holder – A needle holder, also called needle driver, is a surgical instrument,
similar to a hemostat, used by doctors and surgeons to hold a suturing needle for
closing wounds during suturing and surgical procedures.
c. Needle – is a medical device used to hold body tissues together after an injury or
surgery. Application generally involves using a needle with an attached length of
thread.
d. Thumb forceps – are commonly held between the thumb and two or three fingers
of one hand, with the top end resting on the first dorsal interosseous muscle at the
base of the thumb and index finger. Spring tension at one end holds the grasping
ends apart until pressure is applied. This allows one to quickly and easily grasp small
objects or tissue to move and release it or to grasp and hold tissue with easily
variable pressure. Thumb forceps are used to hold tissue in place when applying
sutures, to gently move tissues out of the way during exploratory surgery and to
move dressings or draping without using the hands or fingers.
e. Tissue forceps – are used in surgical procedures for grasping tissue. Often, the tips
have "teeth" to securely hold a tissue. Typically tissue forceps are designed to
minimize damage to biological tissue.
f. Metzenbaum – are surgical scissors designed for cutting delicate tissue and blunt
dissection.
g. Army navy – is a surgical instrument with which a surgeon can either actively
separate the edges of a surgical incision or wound, or can hold back underlying
organs and tissues, so that body parts under the incision may be accessed.
h. Mayo curve – are a type of surgical scissor, often used in the cutting of fascia.
i. Curve clamp – used by surgeons and medical professionals to cut off blood flow or
other fluids during surgery.
j. Mesh – There are many types of mesh products available, but surgeons typically
use a sterile, woven material made from a synthetic plastic-like material, such as
polypropylene. The mesh can be in the form of a patch that goes under or over the
weakness, or it can be in the form of a plug that goes inside the hole..
k. Suction tubes – is an instrument used to remove large quantities of fluid from
surgical sites during procedures.
Pre-operative Responsibilities:
Evaluate the neurovascular and functional status of the extremity through history
and physical assessment.
Assess the circulatory status and function of the unaffected extremity
Any concurrent health problems (e.g., dehydration, anemia, cardiac insufficiency,
chronic respiratory problems, and diabetes mellitus) need to be identified and
treated so that the patient is in the best possible condition to withstand the trauma
of surgery.
The nurse assesses the patient’s psychological status. Determination of the
patient’s emotional reaction to amputation is essential for nursing care.
Intra-operative Responsibilities:
Post-operative Responsibilities:
Changing the patient’s position or placing a light sandbag on the residual limb to
counteract the muscle spasm may improve the patient’s level of comfort
Keeping the patient active helps decrease the occurrence of phantom limb pain.
Early intensive rehabilitation and stump desensitization with kneading massage
brings relief. Distraction techniques and activity are helpful.
The residual limb must be handled gently. Whenever the dressing is changed,
aseptic technique is required to prevent wound infection and possible
osteomyelitis.
The nurse who has established a trusting relationship with the patient is better able
to communicate acceptance of the patient who has experienced an amputation.
The nurse encourages the patient to look at, feel, and then care for the residual
limb.
The nurse acknowledges the loss by listening and providing support.
The patient is encouraged to be an active participant in self-care.
Positioning assists in preventing the development of hip or knee joint contracture
in the patient with a lower extremity amputation. Abduction, external rotation, and
flexion of the lower extremity are avoided.
The nurse assesses body systems (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal,
genitourinary) for problems associated with immobility (e.g., pneumonia, anorexia,
constipation, urinary stasis) and institutes corrective management. Avoiding
problems associated with immobility and restoring physical activity are necessary
for maintenance of health.
Expected outcomes of surgical treatment performed
Depression is not the same for everybody. Some people describe depression as
a feeling of emptiness and despair. Others experience an overwhelming sense of
helplessness, hopelessness or anger. Some people don’t act out emotionally, but may
feel apathetic or even restless.
If you are struggling with the loss of your limb you may benefit from counseling to
help you work through the 5 stages of grief. Below are the 5 stages of grief. Reading
through these stages may help you understand where you are at in the acceptance of
your loss.
If you are having trouble working through the acceptance of losing a limb and you
would like help from a social worker, counselor or psychologist, please ask your physician
or therapist to refer you to someone who can help. How well you do during the limb loss
rehabilitation process can depend a lot on your ability to accept your loss.
Wound Management
Notify your nurse if your dressing becomes soiled or you notice any leakage of
Drainage.
Wash your hands well with soap and water or hand sanitizer if you come in
Contact with drainage.
Make sure everyone who comes in contact with your wound wears gloves and
Washes his/her hands before and after a dressing change.
Be careful when moving in bed, getting in and out of bed to avoid dislodging
Dressings or drainage tubes.
Notify the nursing staff if dressings become loose or dislodged.
Eat a good diet. Tissues cannot heal without good nutrition.
Tell your health care team if you experience pain during the care of your wound.
By working together, you and your rehab team can establish a medication
schedule that will minimize your discomfort during dressing changes.
Pain Management
It is normal to feel some pain following an amputation. This is the result of the
surgical trauma to bone, nerve, and soft tissue. As with any major surgery postoperative
pain can be expected to resolve in the first few weeks. This pain is often described as
sharp, is localized to the surgical site. It resolves as the edema decreases and wound
heals. In the immediate postoperative period the primary method of pain control is
medication.
Your health care team will help you with other activities to manage pain. This may
include the use of compression garments, exercises and other therapeutic activities. It is
not unusual following an amputation to experience sensations in the limb that is gone.
This is normal. If these sensations are painful, let your health care team know. There are
specific medications and therapeutic activities that may help with this kind of pain.
Managing pain is important. If you are in pain you will be less willing to do the
things you need to do to maximize your recovery.
After surgery, the patient will have a soft dressing or a rigid dressing made of
fiberglass or plaster. Assess the surgical dressing for integrity and drainage. Elevate the
stump for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Move and turn the patient gently and slowly to prevent severe muscle spasms.
Reposition the patient every 2 hours, turning the patient from side to side and prone, if
possible. Lying prone helps reduce hip flexion contractures. Avoid placing pillows
between the patient's legs or under the back.
Unwrap the stump dressing every 4 to 6 hours for the first 2 days postoperatively
as prescribed and then at least once daily. Assess the stump for signs and symptoms of
infection and skin irritation or breakdown. Assess the color, temperature, and most
proximal pulse on the stump before rewrapping it, comparing findings to the contralateral
extremity.
Before rewrapping the stump, provide periwound skin care as ordered, but avoid
lotion. Wrap the stump when it's elevated to prevent edema and vascular stasis. Follow
your facility's policy for replacing the bandage, such as every 2 to 4 days or sooner if it
becomes soiled.
Help the patient perform range-of-motion and muscle-strengthening exercises.
Encourage the patient to push the residual limb into a soft pillow, then into a firmer pillow,
and finally against a hard surface to prepare for prosthesis fitting and to reduce the
incidence of phantom limb pain and sensation.
Encourage the patient to eat a well-balanced diet. Provide emotional support and
patient teaching to help your patient deal with altered body image and lifestyle changes.
Help with the grieving process.
A. Nursing Education
The care study provides the academe of nursing education the opportunity to
focus on how to engage in care management of Above Knee Amputation (AKA) and
Below Knee Amputation (BKA). And to renew the idea of dealing patients easily, instead
we must set much more effort in dealing with them because this is the times when they
need more support.
B. Nursing Practice
The care study provides a wider venue for nursing students to develop and enrich
their skills and knowledge in rendering efficient and effective care. It sharpens our abilities
in performing nursing measures to be rendered to our respective clients. Thus, provides
us satisfactory exposure that can’t be paid by any means.
C. Nursing Research
The care study helps in further investigation and research to optimize nursing care
and expand the scope of nursing practice. Thus, continued investigation is further
encouraged on the ultimate predisposing factor of having Above Knee Amputation (AKA)
and Below Knee Amputation (BKA).
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). (2012). Fatality facts 2010:
Teenagers. Retrieved September 19, 2013,
from http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/teenagers/topicoverview
Simons-Morton, B. G., Lerner, N., & Singer, J. (2005). The observed effects of teenage
passengers on the risky driving behavior of teenage drivers. Accident Analysis and
Prevention, 37(6), 973–982.
Klauer, S. G., Guo, F., Simons-Morton, B. G., Ouimet, M. C., Lee, S. E., & Dingus, T. A.
(in press). Distracted driving and crash risk among novice and experienced drivers. New
England Journal of Medicine.
Simons-Morton, B. G., Quimet, M. C., Zhang, Z., Klauer, S. E., Lee, S. E., Wang, J., et
al. (2011). The effect of passengers and risk-taking friends on risky driving and
crashes/near crashes among novice drivers. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49, 587–593.
Klauer, S. G., Simons-Morton, B., Lee, S. E., Quimet, M. C., Howard, E. H., & Dingus, T.
A. (2011). Novice drivers' exposure to known risk factors during the first 18 months of
licensure: The effect of vehicle ownership. Traffic Injury Prevention, 12, 159–168.
Simons-Morton, B. G., Bingham, C. R., Ouimet, M. C., Pradhan, A., Falk, E., Li, K. -G., et
al. (in press). The effect of teenage passengers on simulated risky driving among
teenagers: A randomized trial. Health Psychology.
O'Malley Olsen, E., Shults, R. A., & Eaton, D. K. (2013). Texting while driving and other
risky motor vehicle behaviors among US high school students. Pediatrics, 131, e1708–
e1715.
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https://www.ahcmedia.com/articles/140552-traumatic-amputations
https://nurseslabs.com/4-amputation-nursing-care-plans/
https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=952370
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Acute_post-surgical_management_of_the_amputee
https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=952370