Equipment
■ Measuring tape.
■ Antiembolism stockings.
■ Washcloth and towel (if needed to cleanse legs).
■ Talcum powder (optional check manufacturer’s recommendations).
Assessment
■ Assess:
■ Level of consciousness and cognitive ability.
■ Skin condition.
■ Be Safe! Assess for and symptoms of severe peripheral arterial disease, such as weak or absent pulses, discoloration or cyanosis, or gangrene. Antiembolism stockings may further impede arterial flow and should not be used in patients with any of these findings.
■ Be Safe! Assess the condition of the skin (lesions, dermatitis, or major edema, as evidenced by shiny, taut skin). Antiembolism stockings may irritate or worsen skin conditions and cause skin breakdown.
Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Evaluate patient comfort and ability to ambulate. Remeasure legs regularly to assess for edema and weight gain.
■ Be Safe! Remove the stockings for 20 to 30 minutes every 8 to 12 hours and monitor skin condition. Check the stockings for wrinkles and/or rolling down at the top, especially when sitting.
Key Points
■ Be Smart! Measure the patient’s leg(s) to ensure that you select stockings of the correct size. Measure thigh and calf circumference at widest section.
■ Thigh-high: Measure distance from gluteal fold to base of the heel.
■ Knee-high: Measure distance from the middle of the knee joint to the base of the heel.
■ Be Smart! Place the patient supine for at least 15 minutes before stocking application. This prevents trapping of pooled venous blood.
■ Elevate the patient’s legs for at least 15 minutes before applying stockings.
■ Cleanse legs and feet if necessary; dry well. Dust with powder if recommended by the manufacturer.
■ Insert your dominant hand to the heel, grasp heel and turn stocking inside out to the level of the heel with your other hand.
■ Insert patient’s foot, toes pointed, into stocking. Gradually pull the remaining portion of the stocking up and over the leg.
■ Keep knee-high stockings 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in.) below the joint.
■ Be Safe! Do not apply thigh-high stockings if the thigh circumference is greater than 100 cm (25 in.).
■ Make sure the stocking is free of wrinkles and is not rolled at the top or bunched.
■ Be Smart! Launder stockings every 3 days.
Documentation
■ Document:
■ Leg measurements and size of the stockings used.
■ Time and date applied.
■ Condition of the skin, including any abnormalities.
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| Measure the circumference at the widest part of the calf |
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| Grasp the heel with your hand inside the stocking |
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| Gradually pull the stocking up and over the leg |
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