What should a patient care technician do when providing postoperative care for a patient with antiembolism stockings?

When providing postoperative care for a patient with antiembolism stockings, it is essential to ensure that the patient's toes are covered by the stockings. This is crucial for maintaining adequate circulation and preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Antiembolism stockings are designed to provide graduated compression, promoting venous return and reducing the risk of blood clots, especially after surgery when patients may be less mobile.

By ensuring that the toes are covered, you help guarantee that the compression effect is applied correctly to the whole leg, including the foot, which is important for the stockings to function effectively. Additionally, covering the toes protects them from potential cold exposure and contributes to the comfort of the patient.

Other practices, such as removing the stockings frequently or allowing the patient to roll them down, could compromise the effectiveness of the stockings in preventing clot formation. Therefore, proper application and maintenance of the stockings, including ensuring coverage of the toes, is vital in postoperative care.