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 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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The primary indication for skin traction is to provide short-term stabilization and pain relief for a fractured bone. It is a non-invasive method used to align and stabilize fractures before definitive treatment, such as casting or surgery.
a. Skin traction is not used to treat chronic orthopedic conditions; it is primarily used for acute fractures.
b. Skin traction is not typically used to immobilize a fractured bone during surgery; other surgical interventions are used for that purpose.
d. Skin traction does not replace the need for surgical interventions for joint dislocations; it is specifically used for fractures.
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