A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hr postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Place a pillow between the client's legs: Placing a pillow between the legs helps maintain proper hip alignment and prevents adduction, reducing the risk of dislocation following a total hip arthroplasty. This is a standard postoperative measure to protect the surgical site. B. Administer a topical antibiotic to the client's incision: Topical antibiotics are not routinely applied to a clean surgical incision after hip arthroplasty. Standard care involves keeping the incision clean and dry and monitoring for signs of infection rather than applying medication locally. C. Encourage the client to use an incentive spirometer every 4 hr: Incentive spirometer use is important for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications, but it is typically recommended every 1–2 hours while awake, not every 4 hours, to be effective. D. Maintain the client on bed rest for 12 hr: Extended bed rest is not recommended because early mobilization after hip arthroplasty reduces the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis and promotes circulation and functional recovery.