A nurse is caring for a client who had a total right hip arthroplasty. In which of the following positions should the nurse place the client to prevent complications?

After a total hip arthroplasty, maintaining proper positioning is essential to prevent hip dislocation and promote proper prosthesis alignment. The new joint is at high risk for displacement during early healing if the leg is flexed excessively, internally rotated, or adducted. Nursing care focuses on maintaining hip precautions, supporting proper body alignment, and preventing complications such as dislocation, venous thromboembolism, and impaired mobility. Positioning plays a critical role in protecting the surgical site. A. Supine with the head slightly elevated is the correct position because it maintains proper hip alignment and reduces stress on the surgical joint. This position helps prevent flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the hip, all of which increase the risk of dislocation. A neutral position with abduction support is typically recommended in early postoperative care. B. Side-lying on the affected side is contraindicated because it places direct pressure on the surgical hip, increasing pain and risk of prosthesis displacement. If side-lying is necessary, the client should be positioned on the unaffected side with an abduction pillow to maintain proper alignment. C. Prone with the legs adducted is inappropriate because adduction of the legs significantly increases the risk of hip dislocation after arthroplasty. Additionally, prone positioning is not typically recommended in the immediate postoperative period due to difficulty maintaining hip precautions and patient comfort. D. High-Fowler’s with a pillow under the knees is contraindicated because hip flexion greater than 90 degrees increases the risk of dislocation. Elevating the knees further promotes flexion and places undue stress on the new joint, making this position unsafe after surgery.