Which of the following nursing interventions is appropriate for a client in traction?

Overview

Skeletal traction is widely used in fixing bone fractures among patients. Usually it is used in the femoral part of the leg as well as the thighbone. However, it can also be used in other parts of the body such as the bones in the neck part, forearm, and arms. The orthopaedic surgeon (bone surgeon specialist) place several mechanisms which include a pin, screw or wire. This is surgically placed inside the bone. A weight must be in place to pull and force the bone in an ortho bed.

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

Purpose and Type of Tractions
Nursing Care for Patients with Skeletal Traction
What are nursing interventions when caring for a patient in traction?
What are the important assessment that you need to perform to a patient in traction?
What are nursing responsibilities with patient on skull traction?
What is the procedure for applying traction to a patient?

Purpose and Type of Tractions

There are several uses of traction for a patient. First of all, it can prevent patient's discomfort such as pain and muscle spasms while waiting for a surgery. It can also p rev ent deformities and complications by correcting muscle contracture. It also help promotes bone alignment.

There are two classes or type of traction. The first one is skin traction. In this mechanism, the site of placement is external only. There are also weights being placed and there is also a pulling force being applied in line with the patient's body, usually up to 3.5 kilos which .

The other type is a skeletal traction. The main difference is that there is a penetration and use of wires, screws and pins. There is also a greater force being applied. The bone can also stand a heavier force or weight which is up to 12 kilos.

Nursing Care for Patients with Skeletal Traction

Nurses placed in the medical-surgical or orthopaedic unit must be aware of the various nursing care plan for their ortho patients. The nurse must always assess the vital sign of the patient especially the old ones with bone fractures since they are more predisposed to fat embolism which is life threatening. Before placement of skeletal traction, the nurse must prepare the patient for the operative procedure. After or post procedure, pain relief or pain management is one of the priority. Thus, the staff must provide pain relievers as necessary per doctor's order or comment. They also make sure or check that the position of the traction is well aligned and the weights are freely hanging. Once the fracture is already aligned, it will be removed again. The nurse must provide or share health teachings in taking care of their newly-healed bone such protecting it from further trauma, checking the site for sign of infection and consuming food rich in calcium.

Conclusion

The care for a patient with skeletal traction involves a lot of patience from close to admission to discharge for home by car. However, a lot of nursing skills can be applied to these types of medical condition.

Contact NicoleConsultancy.com at 62215262 for Nursing Care for Skeletal Traction in Singapore now!

We’ve updated our privacy policy so that we are compliant with changing global privacy regulations and to provide you with insight into the limited ways in which we use your data.

You can read the details below. By accepting, you agree to the updated privacy policy.

Thank you!

View updated privacy policy

We've encountered a problem, please try again.

Definition

Traction is an orthopedic treatment that involves placing tension on a limb, bone or muscle group using various weight and pulley systems.

TYPES:

Straight or running traction (e.g. Buck’s traction, pelvic traction) involves a straight pulling force in one plane.
Balanced suspension traction (e.g. pelvic sling, Thomas leg splint) involves exertion a pull while the limb is supported by a hammock or splint held by balanced weights, which allows for some mobility without disruption of the line of pull.
Skin traction (e.g. Buck’s traction, pelvic traction) involves weight applied and held to the skin with a Velcro splint.
Skeletal traction involves weight applied and attached to metal inserted into bone (e.g. pins, wires, tongs).

Traction is applied to:

Decrease muscle spasms
Reduce, align, and immobilize fractures (e.g. femur fractures that cannot be immobilized in a cast).
Correct or prevent deformity
Increase space between joint surfaces

Assessment. Assess the client for the following while in traction.

Monitor skin integrity of the affected part before and after traction placement.
Assess the skin, especially bony prominences for breakdown.
Assess neurovascular status.
Monitor respiratory status, including rate and patter, breath and lung sounds, ability to cough and breathe deeply.
Evaluate muscle strength and tone and mobility in affected and unaffected areas.
Assess mental status, noting level of orientation, effectiveness of coping and behavior.
Regularly check the condition of the traction equipment: ropes, pulleys, and weights.
For the client in skeletal traction, assess the pin site for signs and symptoms of infection.

Nursing Diagnosis

Deficient knowledge related to the treatment regimen
Anxiety related to health status and the traction device
Acute pain related to musculoskeletal disorder
Self-care deficit: feeding, bathing/hygiene and/or toileting related to traction
Impaired physical mobility related to musculoskeletal disorder and traction
Impaired skin integrity related to traction

Nursing Management

Promote measures to prevent complication of immobility.
- Place a bedboard under the client’s mattress to ensure extra firm support. Turn and reposition the client regularly within the limitation of traction.
- Prevent constipation by increasing the client’s fluid intake to 2,000 to 2,500ml and provide a balanced diet high in fiber.
Promote skin integrity.
- Use a special mattress to preserve skin integrity.
- Keep bed linen free of wrinkles to prevent skin breakdown.
- Provide frequent skin care to areas of potential pressures
- Inspect the skin traction for signs of skin breakdown. Assess areas over traction tape for tenderness or skin irritation. Always apply weights after the client is in the traction apparatus, and remove the weights before removing the traction apparatus.
- Inspect the skeletal traction sites for signs of irritation or infection. Assess pin entrance and exit sites and areas surrounding pin sites at least twice each day. Clean pin sites as prescribed; never remove weights.
Provide client teaching
- Encourage active exercises for unaffected body parts.
- Encourage the use of a trapeze, if indicated.
- Promote deep-breathing exercises hourly
Promote self-care within traction limitations.

What are nursing interventions when caring for a patient in traction?

Encourage the patient to reposition themselves or complete pressure area care four hourly. Remove the foam stirrup and bandage once per shift, to relieve potential pressure and observe condition patients skin. Keep the sheets dry. Ensure that the pressure injury prevention score and plan is assessed and documented.

What are the important assessment that you need to perform to a patient in traction?

Monitor skin integrity of the affected part before and after traction placement. Assess the skin, especially bony prominences for breakdown. Assess neurovascular status. Monitor respiratory status, including rate and patter, breath and lung sounds, ability to cough and breathe deeply.

What are nursing responsibilities with patient on skull traction?

Nursing Care for Patients with Skeletal Traction Before placement of skeletal traction, the nurse must prepare the patient for the operative procedure. After or post procedure, pain relief or pain management is one of the priority. Thus, the staff must provide pain relievers as necessary per doctor's order or comment.

What is the procedure for applying traction to a patient?

It involves applying splints, bandages, or adhesive tapes to the skin directly below the fracture. Once the material has been applied, weights are fastened to it. The affected body part is then pulled into the right position using a pulley system attached to the hospital bed.