A bedbound client has intact but painful heels and a plan for complete heel offloading. The nurse will position a pillow or support to distribute the leg’s weight and lift the heel clear of the mattress. Click the most appropriate load-bearing region.
Hot Spot
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
B supports the calf over a broad area, allowing the heel to be suspended.
B. B supports the calf over a broad area, allowing the heel to be suspended.
Why this is the best choice
The support must lift the heel while avoiding a new focal pressure site at the Achilles tendon or behind the knee. Broad calf support distributes the lower-leg load. Recheck actual heel clearance and alignment after positioning.
Clinical picture
The observations are fictional teaching data. Apply the stated context; the selected feature does not by itself replace a complete bedside assessment.
Memory hook
Lift the heel by distributing the leg’s weight along the calf.
Decision rule
Lift the heel by distributing the leg’s weight along the calf.
Why the other regions do not fit
A loads the area behind the knee. C concentrates pressure near the Achilles tendon. D supports the heel directly and defeats the offloading goal.
Sources
Heel elevation should distribute lower-leg weight along the calf and avoid pressure on the Achilles tendon and popliteal area.
Heel offloading without new focal pressure — Lift the heel by distributing the leg’s weight along the calf.
Comparison with context — C is close to the heel and might lift it, but creates focused tendon pressure instead of distributing load.