The nurse is preparing to reposition a patient with skin traction. What action should the nurse take to ensure proper alignment?
Raise the head of the bed to a 30-degree angle.
Have the patient assist in turning to the side.
Use a lift sheet to slide the patient to the desired position.
Apply a trochanter roll under the affected hip.
The Correct Answer is C
To ensure proper alignment and prevent shearing forces on the skin, the nurse should use a lift sheet to slide the patient to the desired position. This reduces friction and minimizes the risk of skin breakdown.
a. Raising the head of the bed to a 30-degree angle does not address proper alignment for repositioning with skin traction.
b. Having the patient assist in turning to the side can place strain on the affected limb and is not recommended for patients with skin traction.
d. Applying a trochanter roll under the affected hip is not necessary for repositioning with skin traction.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
An important nursing intervention to prevent complications in a patient with skin traction is to monitor neurovascular status regularly. This includes assessing circulation, sensation, and motion of the affected limb to detect any signs of neurovascular compromise.
a. Elevating the foot of the bed for comfort is not directly related to preventing complications of skin traction.
b. Loosening the traction bandages every 8 hours can compromise the effectiveness of the traction and is not a recommended nursing intervention.
c. Assessing the patient's pain level once a day is important, but it is not the primary intervention for preventing complications of skin traction.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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.
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