The nurse is educating a patient with skin traction about self-care measures. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the patient?

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.

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.