The nurse is caring for a patient with skin traction. What is an important nursing intervention to prevent complications?

Adjusting the weight used in skin traction without a healthcare provider's order can lead to complications or improper alignment of the fractured bone. Weight adjustments should only be made based on the healthcare provider's instructions.

a. Elevating the affected limb can help reduce edema but may not be specific to skin traction care.

c. Keeping the adhesive straps or wraps clean and dry is essential to prevent skin breakdown and infection, but it is not the primary nursing consideration related to traction.

d. Encouraging active range of motion exercises is not recommended while the patient is in skin traction, as it may disrupt the traction's stabilizing effect on the fractured bone. Passive range of motion exercises may be performed as appropriate, with the healthcare provider's approval.

Skin traction is typically applied above the fractured area to provide a pulling force in the opposite direction to reduce swelling and discomfort. The traction should not be placed directly over the fractured bone to avoid further injury.

a. Placing traction directly over the fractured bone may exacerbate the fracture and cause additional harm.

b. Applying traction to the unaffected leg is not appropriate, as it will not address the fractured hip.

c. Applying traction to the bony prominence on the affected side can cause pressure sores and skin breakdown.