The nurse is caring for a client on the orthopedic unit who had a total knee replacement on the left side. The nurse knows the client will be ready for discharge when she is able to do which of the following activities?

  1. ambulate 100 feet with crutches or walker
  2. get up and down a flight of stairs
  3. flex the surgical knee 30 degrees
  4. fix a snack
Number 2 is correct.
Rationale: The ability to navigate a flight of stairs is a requirement for discharge after a total knee replacement. The client needs to be able to ambulate 75 feet. There is no set amount of flexion of the knee for discharge. Preparing a snack is not a standard requirement for discharge.