A nurse is teaching a client who has burns to the upper body about positioning to prevent contractures. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Rationale: A. "Place a firm pillow under your head.": Placing a firm pillow under the head may increase cervical flexion, which can contribute to neck contractures in clients with upper body burns. Neutral positioning without excessive flexion or extension is preferred to maintain joint mobility and prevent deformity. B. "Remain in a side-lying position.": Side-lying may help prevent pressure injuries, but it does not specifically address prevention of upper extremity or shoulder contractures. Positioning should focus on maintaining joints in functional alignment and preventing flexion contractures in the affected areas. C. "Wear splints on your wrists.": Splints help maintain joints in a functional, extended, or neutral position, preventing flexion contractures that commonly develop after burns. For upper body burns, wrist splints keep the wrist and hand aligned, reduce edema, and preserve range of motion during the healing process. D. "Keep your elbow in a flexed position.": Flexing the elbow increases the risk of contracture formation and limits future extension. The nurse should instruct the client to maintain the elbow in an extended or slightly flexed functional position, depending on the burn location, to maintain mobility and prevent deformity.