A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a femur fracture and is in skeletal traction.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Ensuring the client's weights are hanging freely from the bed is crucial in maintaining the proper amount of traction force. This prevents complications and ensures that the traction is effective in reducing the fracture and alleviating pain.

Choice B rationale

Checking the client's bony prominences every 12 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers and skin breakdown. However, the timing might need to be more frequent depending on the client's overall health and risk factors.

Choice C rationale

Cleansing the client's pin sites with povidone-iodine is a common practice to prevent infection. However, current guidelines often recommend alternative cleaning solutions, such as chlorhexidine, due to better evidence of efficacy.

Choice D rationale

Loosening the knots on the ropes if the client is experiencing pain can compromise the effectiveness of the traction. Adjustments should be made by a healthcare professional to ensure the correct amount of force is applied without causing additional harm.