A patient has a dislocated hip as the result of a fall. The nurse recognizes which primary reason to quickly return the femoral head to its normal position?

Question

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Quickly returning the femoral head to its normal position will help preserve blood flow to the head of the femur. Delay in returning the femoral head to its normal position could lead to avascular necrosis and permanent damage to the hip joint. Avoiding damage to nerves and minimizing damage to affected ligaments are also important factors, but preserving blood flow is the primary concern in this case. Pain relief is important, but it is not the primary reason for quickly returning the femoral head to its normal position.

A Patient Has a Dislocated Hip as the Result of a Fall