The nurse is caring for a patient with a fractured femur who has been placed in skin traction. Which statement best describes the purpose of skin traction?
Skin traction is used to immobilize the fractured bone and prevent further injury.
Skin traction is applied directly to the fractured bone to realign the bone fragments.
Skin traction is used to provide compression to reduce swelling and edema.
Skin traction is used to promote mobility and early ambulation.
The Correct Answer is C
Skin traction is a type of traction that involves applying force to the skin to reduce swelling and edema around the fractured bone. It helps to alleviate pain and promote proper alignment of the bone fragments.
a. Skin traction does not immobilize the fractured bone; rather, it provides continuous but controlled tension to reduce swelling and discomfort.
b. Skin traction is not applied directly to the fractured bone. Instead, it involves applying adhesive strips or bandages to the skin, followed by connecting weights to provide the desired tension.
d. While skin traction may promote some mobility, its primary purpose is to reduce swelling and discomfort rather than facilitating early ambulation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Buck's traction is often used for patients with fractures of the lower back and lower extremities. It helps stabilize the area and reduce pain before further treatment.
b. Russell's traction is used for lower leg fractures, not fractures of the lower back and lower extremities.
c. Bryant's traction is specifically designed for pediatric femur fractures, not fractures in the lower back or lower extremities.
d. Dunlop's traction is a type of head and neck traction, not used for fractures of the lower back or lower extremities.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A potential complication of skin traction is pressure ulcer development due to constant pressure on the skin from the traction apparatus. The nurse should regularly assess the skin under the traction to prevent skin breakdown.
a. Increased risk of falls is not directly related to skin traction. However, the nurse should implement fall prevention measures for all patients as appropriate.
c. Hypertension is not directly related to skin traction. It is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure.
d. Constipation is not directly related to skin traction. It can be caused by various factors, including medications and immobility, but it is not a specific complication of skin traction.
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