A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who has a fractured femur and is in Buck's traction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Apply a 9 kg 120 lb weight to the traction
Clean the pin insertion sites on a daily basis.
Remove the weights while the client is eating
Ensure that the weights are hanging freely.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Apply a 9 kg (20 lb) weight to the traction: Buck’s traction is designed for short-term immobilization and uses lighter weights, typically between 2 to 5 kg (4.5 to 10 lb). Applying 9 kg (20 lb) would be excessive and could lead to nerve damage, impaired circulation, or additional injury.
B. Clean the pin insertion sites on a daily basis: Buck’s traction is a type of skin traction, not skeletal traction, and does not involve pins inserted into the bone. Therefore, there are no pin sites to clean in Buck’s traction, making this action irrelevant for the client’s care.
C. Remove the weights while the client is eating: Weights should never be removed or lifted unless there is a provider’s specific order to do so. Interrupting the continuous pull of the traction can cause misalignment of the fracture and delay healing.
D. Ensure that the weights are hanging freely: It is essential that the weights in Buck’s traction hang freely without resting on the floor or bed. This ensures a constant, steady pull on the extremity, which helps maintain proper alignment and promotes effective immobilization.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Amyloid plaque: Amyloid plaque buildup is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, a chronic, progressive form of dementia. While dementia can increase the overall risk for delirium, amyloid plaques themselves are not an immediate trigger for acute confusion like delirium.
B. Urinary tract infection: Urinary tract infections are a common reversible cause of delirium, especially in older adults. Infections can trigger a systemic inflammatory response and disrupt normal brain function, leading to sudden-onset confusion, disorientation, and restlessness due to systemic inflammation and changes in metabolic balance.
C. High cholesterol: High cholesterol contributes to long-term cardiovascular risks, such as atherosclerosis and stroke, but it is not directly linked to the sudden cognitive changes seen in delirium. It does not cause the acute neurological dysfunction characteristic of delirium.
D. Hypersomnia: Hypersomnia, or excessive daytime sleepiness, may reflect underlying sleep disorders or other chronic conditions, but it is not recognized as a common direct cause of delirium. Acute changes in mental status are more often tied to factors like infection, medications, or metabolic disturbances.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "We will switch our baby's car seat to forward-facing when they turn one.": Current guidelines recommend keeping infants and toddlers in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat, often well past one year, to provide optimal protection in a crash.
B. "We will check the temperature of the car seat surface before placing our baby in the seat when it is hot out.": This statement shows good understanding. Car seat surfaces can become dangerously hot and cause burns. Checking the seat temperature ensures the baby’s safety and comfort before securing them inside.
C. "We will make sure to activate the air bag when we place the car seat in the front passenger seat.": Airbags can cause serious injury or death to infants in rear-facing car seats. Car seats should always be placed in the back seat, and airbags should be deactivated if absolutely necessary to place a seat in the front, which is discouraged.
D. "We will wrap our baby in a blanket under the car seat straps when it is cold out.": Placing a blanket under the straps can prevent the harness from fitting snugly and securely. Instead, the harness should be fastened correctly first, and then a blanket can be placed over the baby for warmth.
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