The nurse is providing care to a patient in skin traction. Which intervention is essential to maintain proper traction and alignment?
Reapplying the traction tape every 4 hours.
Keeping the patient's leg in a dependent position.
Elevating the foot of the bed to promote venous return.
Ensuring the traction ropes are free of knots and kinks.
The Correct Answer is D
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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The patient should not remove the traction device independently. Removing the traction can compromise the effectiveness of fracture reduction and delay healing. Only healthcare professionals should adjust or remove the traction as needed.
a. Cleaning the skin under the traction tape with mild soap and water daily helps to maintain skin integrity and reduce the risk of infection.
b. Reporting any signs of skin redness or irritation to the nurse is essential to monitor for potential skin breakdown and prevent complications.
d. Using the trapeze bar to reposition in bed is an appropriate method for the patient to move independently without compromising the traction's stability.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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