Abstract
More than 500,000 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgeries were performed in 2006 and the number is expected to continue to increase (S. Kim, 2008). A background in evidence-based nursing care will assist any nurse assigned in caring for a postoperative TKA patient. Strong pain assessment and reassessment skills with an understanding of multimodal pain management benefits pain control and patient recovery from TKA surgery. Safe mobilization and therapy techniques that reflect evidence-based practice will keep patients safe. Providing nursing interventions that prevent complications from infections or thromboembolism will reduce never events from occurring. This article will present evidence for the care of a postoperative TKA patient.