Sprained Ankle Discharge Instructions

What are the discharge instructions for a patient with a sprained ankle?

1. "Apply ice to the sprained area for 1 hour, then off for 1 hour." 2. "Wrap your ankle with an ACE bandage each morning." 3. "Elevate your leg as much as possible to prevent further swelling." 4. "Exercise your ankle as soon as you get home to prevent stiffness." 5. "You will use warm compresses to increase blood flow to the area after removing the ice."

Answer:

To manage a sprain, the nurse will provide discharge instructions that encompass the 'RICE' procedure: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. The patient should apply ice, wrap the ankle with a compression bandage, and elevate the leg as much as possible. Exercising the ankle should only be embarked upon once the initial healing has occurred.

Explanation:

When managing a sprain, the nurse will typically suggest a procedure known as 'RICE' which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If we apply this information to the given options, the ideal discharge instructions from the nurse would likely include:

  • 'Apply ice to the sprained area for 1 hour, then off for 1 hour.' This helps to decrease the inflammation and pain in the area.
  • 'Wrap your ankle with an ACE bandage each morning.' This part of the 'RICE' process entails compression, which can prevent additional swelling and provide support.
  • 'Elevate your leg as much as possible to prevent further swelling.' Elevation assists in reducing swelling by allowing fluid drainage from the area.

'Exercise your ankle as soon as you get home to prevent stiffness.' might be an instruction given at a later stage of recovery once initial healing has occurred, and not immediately after an acute injury like a sprain. Also, warm compresses may increase blood flow, but in the acute stage of injury it is usually cooling down the area with ice that is more beneficial.

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