Traction

Question 0

Ways to achieve countertraction (4)

Answer 0

Patients body weight
Shock blocks
Raising the foot of the bed
Keeping patient up in bed

Question 1

Neurovascular assessment

Answer 1

Color
Temp
Movement
Capillary refill
Sensation
Pulses

Question 2

Purposes of traction

Answer 2

1. Reduce, align, and immobilize a fracture
2. Prevent or correct a permanent deformity (scoliosis)
3. To rest a joint
4. Inhibit or decrease swelling
5. Decrease muscle spasms
6. Elevate limb for drainage

Question 3

Types of skin traction

Answer 3

Buck’s traction
Pelvic traction
Pelvic sling
Cervical halter

Question 4

Types of skeletal traction

Answer 4

1. Balanced traction and suspension with Thomas splint and Pearson attachment
2. Crutchfield or Gardner-Wells Tongs

Question 5

Nursing mgmt for Buck’s traction

Answer 5

1. Skin care!*
2. Neurovascular assessment
3. Elevate foot of bed to provide countertraction
4. Keep manual traction of injured part while skin care done
5. Turn pt with pillow between legs; turn on affected side first

Question 6

Nursing mgmt for pelvic traction

Answer 6

1. Correct bed position: semi-fowlers with hip 45• and knee 30•
2. Chart symptoms before and after removal or application of traction

Question 7

Nursing mgmt for skeletal traction

Answer 7

1. Neurovascular assessment
2. Care of Thomas splint- keep clean and dry, wash under ring with soap and water, use thin layer of talc powder, maintain alignment during care, do not remove weights, pt can use trapeze for skin care to back

Question 8

Drop foot

Answer 8

An abnormal neuromuscular cond. of the lower leg and foot, characterized by an inability to dorsiflex the foot. Caused by damage to the peroneal nerve

Question 9

Prevention of drop foot

Answer 9

Use foot board to support foot
Loosen covers over foot
Do not compress peroneal nerve
Exercise feet and ankle

Question 10

Clinical manifestations of fat embolism

Answer 10

Restlessness, vague chest pain, AMS, cough, crackles, hemoptysis, fever, dyspnea, tachypnea, hypoxemia, cold and clammy

Question 11

Tx of fat embolism

Answer 11

High fowlers, oxygen, diuretics, steroids, may need blood transfusion

Question 12

Compartment syndrome clinical manifestations

Answer 12

Redness, swelling, pain, tingling/burning, vessel compromise, restriction of movement, brown urine, diminished pulses

Question 13

Six P’s of compartment syndrome

Answer 13

1. Progressive pain
2. Pallor
3. Poikilothermia (coldness)
4. Parasthesia
5. Paralysis
6. Pulselessness (last to go)