The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of skin traction for a patient with a fractured femur. Which finding indicates successful traction?

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.

Option D is essential in maintaining proper traction and alignment. Knots and kinks in the traction ropes can interfere with the traction force, leading to inadequate realignment of the fractured bone.

a. Reapplying the traction tape every 4 hours is not necessary and may cause skin irritation and complications. Traction tape is typically applied securely and remains in place for an extended period unless specifically indicated otherwise.

b. Keeping the patient's leg in a dependent position is incorrect. The affected leg should be elevated to reduce swelling and promote venous return to prevent further complications such as venous thromboembolism.

c. Elevating the foot of the bed to promote venous return is not a recommended practice for skin traction. The affected limb should be elevated to promote venous return, but the bed should remain flat to maintain the proper alignment and traction force.