Reduction of Risk Potential

Apply them in the morning before the client gets out of bed, when the legs are least swollen, using the measured size. Keep them smooth and never rolled down or bunched, which creates a tourniquet effect; remove them at least daily to inspect skin and circulation.

A leg with a known or suspected DVT (compression could dislodge the clot), and generally one with severe arterial disease, a fresh skin graft, open wounds, or marked edema. SCDs promote venous return in immobile clients; remove briefly to assess skin.

135-145 mEq/L. Below 135 is hyponatremia (confusion, seizures); above 145 is hypernatremia (thirst, restlessness). Significant imbalances are corrected slowly because rapid shifts can cause cerebral edema or osmotic demyelination.

3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Values outside this narrow range affect cardiac conduction: hyperkalemia causes tall peaked T waves and hypokalemia causes flattened T waves and U waves, so abnormal results need prompt reporting and cardiac monitoring.

About 9.0-10.5 mg/dL (reference ranges vary slightly by lab). Because about half of calcium is bound to albumin, a low total calcium should be interpreted with the albumin level or an ionized calcium.

About 1.3-2.1 mEq/L (ranges vary by lab). Low magnesium causes neuromuscular irritability and dysrhythmias and makes hypokalemia hard to correct; high magnesium depresses deep tendon reflexes and respirations.