Question

What should initial nursing management of the ankle involve to prevent further swelling and injury to the ankle

Answer 1

Initial nursing management:

First of all to reduce swelling, ankle should be elevated, so that excess fluid is not allowed to collect around injury.

b. Apply pressure to an injured ankle to reduce injury by restricting the flow of blood and other fluids.

c. Ice should be applied to injury as soon as possible and it can reduce swelling.

d. Protect from further injury.

Precautions to prevent further swelling:

HARM (Includes heat, alcohol, running and massage) must be avoided for seventy two hours after an injury. It includes avoiding heat, for example, saunas, hot baths, heat packs, and so on. Heat is known to encourage the flow of blood, which will further tend to increase inflammation and bruising. As a result, heat must be avoided when there is development of inflammation.

Alcohol must he avoided. It increases swelling and bleeding, and decreases healing rate. Running can cause further damage, so it must be avoided too massage may increase swelling and bleeding so, a must be avoided for about seventy two hours after Injury. However, after seventy two hours, a gentle massage can be soothing.

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