The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient with skin traction. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

Requesting physical therapy to assist with range of motion exercises demonstrates effective nursing collaboration. Physical therapists are experts in movement and can provide valuable input in promoting joint mobility for patients in traction.

a. Administering pain medication as prescribed is a standard nursing responsibility and does not involve collaboration with other healthcare providers.

b. Initiating skin traction without consulting the healthcare provider is not appropriate. Traction requires a healthcare provider's order, and nurses should not initiate any treatment without proper authorization.

c. Documenting the patient's neurovascular assessment in the chart is a part of the nurse's routine responsibilities and does not involve collaboration with other healthcare providers.

The correct action to prevent skin breakdown in a patient with skin traction is to ensure that the traction weight is hanging freely and not resting on the bed. This prevents pressure on the skin and reduces the risk of skin breakdown.

a. Applying lotion to the skin under the traction can create a barrier that may interfere with proper skin assessment and could cause skin irritation. It is not recommended to apply lotion under the traction.

c. Loosening the traction bandages every 2 hours can compromise the effectiveness of the traction and may not be necessary if the skin is not showing signs of compromise.

d. Removing the traction periodically to assess the skin can disrupt the treatment plan and may not be necessary unless there are signs of skin compromise or other complications.