The nurse is caring for a patient with skin traction. What action should the nurse take to prevent skin breakdown?
Apply lotion to the skin under the traction.
Ensure that the traction weight is hanging freely.
Loosen the traction bandages every 2 hours.
Remove the traction periodically to assess the skin.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct action to prevent skin breakdown in a patient with skin traction is to ensure that the traction weight is hanging freely and not resting on the bed. This prevents pressure on the skin and reduces the risk of skin breakdown.
a. Applying lotion to the skin under the traction can create a barrier that may interfere with proper skin assessment and could cause skin irritation. It is not recommended to apply lotion under the traction.
c. Loosening the traction bandages every 2 hours can compromise the effectiveness of the traction and may not be necessary if the skin is not showing signs of compromise.
d. Removing the traction periodically to assess the skin can disrupt the treatment plan and may not be necessary unless there are signs of skin compromise or other complications.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
If the skin traction is not properly secured, there is a risk of traction weight displacement, leading to improper alignment and ineffective traction. Proper securing of the traction is essential to maintain its therapeutic effect.
a. Fracture of the affected limb is not a direct complication of improperly secured skin traction. Fractures are typically treated with other methods, such as casting or surgical interventions.
b. Infection at the traction site may occur if proper hygiene and wound care practices are not followed. It is not directly related to the security of the traction.
d. Excessive traction pressure can occur if the traction is not properly applied or adjusted. However, the primary concern is traction weight displacement, which affects the effectiveness of the treatment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Buck's traction is commonly used for patients with hip fractures. It involves the application of skin traction to the lower extremity to stabilize the hip joint and provide pain relief before surgery.
b. Russell's traction is used for patients with lower leg fractures to reduce muscle spasms and align the bones. It is not the most common type of traction used for hip fractures.
c. Bryant's traction is specifically designed for pediatric patients with femur fractures. It is not typically used for hip fractures in adult patients.
d. Dunlop's traction is a type of head and neck traction used for cervical spine injuries. It is not used for hip fractures.
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