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 being unable to move the affected limb in skin traction requires further assessment. Traction should allow some degree of movement, and the nurse should investigate the cause of the restricted motion and take appropriate action.
a. The patient being able to perform active range of motion exercises indicates that some mobility is possible with the traction, which is a positive finding.
b. The patient experiencing some discomfort during range of motion exercises is not unexpected, as traction may cause some discomfort due to realignment of the bone.
d. The patient having difficulty moving the affected limb may be expected with skin traction, and the nurse should continue to monitor the patient's progress.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Bryant's traction is specifically designed for pediatric patients with femur fractures. It involves elevating the legs and applying skin traction to the lower extremities to stabilize the fracture.
a. Buck's traction is commonly used for patients with hip fractures, not pediatric patients with femur fractures.
b. Russell's traction is used for patients with lower leg fractures, not pediatric femur fractures.
d. Dunlop's traction is a type of head and neck traction used for cervical spine injuries, not pediatric femur fractures.
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