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

The patient's report of minimal discomfort indicates successful skin traction. Traction should alleviate pain and provide proper alignment of the fractured bone, leading to improved comfort for the patient.

b. The patient's pain being unchanged from before traction suggests that the traction may not be effectively relieving the pressure on the fractured bone.

c. The patient's leg appearing slightly misaligned indicates that the traction may not be adequately stabilizing the fracture, which is not a desirable outcome.

d. The patient's fractured femur showing signs of healing is not an immediate evaluation parameter for skin traction effectiveness. Skin traction is primarily aimed at reducing pain and realigning the bone.

In skin traction, adhesive straps or wraps are applied to the skin near the fractured area, and weights are attached to create a pulling force. The pulling force helps to align and stabilize the fractured bone.

a. Skin traction does not involve surgically inserting metal pins into the bone. That technique is called skeletal traction.

b. Skin traction does not apply pressure directly on the fracture site; it uses a pulling force applied through the skin.

c. Adhesive straps or wraps are applied near the fractured area, not directly over it, to avoid pressure on the fracture site.