Orthopedic Nursing Care

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What activity would be a suitable diversion for a 5-year-old with a left leg in skeletal traction?

Running around the room

Playing hand-held games (correct)

Throwing bean bags

Kicking balloons with the right leg

Why is it essential to maintain good skin care when a client is in skeletal leg traction?

To prevent pin site infections (correct)

To reduce anxiety

To improve circulation

To promote muscle strength

A client in skeletal leg traction complains of severe pain. What should the nurse do first?

Check the client's alignment in bed (correct)

Provide pin care

Call the physician

Administer an analgesic

What is the primary purpose of Buck's extension traction?

To provide rigid immobilization of the fracture site Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to perform regular pin site care?

To prevent pin site infections Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential complication that can occur if a client in skeletal leg traction is not turned regularly?

Pressure ulcers Signup and view all the answers

What is a suitable nursing diagnosis for a client in skeletal leg traction who complains of being bored and restless?

Deficient Diversional Activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the least concerning finding when evaluating the pin sites of a client in skeletal traction?

Serous drainage Signup and view all the answers

What is a key indicator of compartment syndrome that a client with an arm cast should report early?

Pain that increases when the arm is moved Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when a client is placed in skeletal traction?

Frequent neurovascular assessments of the affected leg Signup and view all the answers

What should a nurse do first if a child in skeletal traction has a pale foot with no pulse?

Notify the healthcare provider Signup and view all the answers

What is a key nursing action associated with Russell's traction therapy?

Auscultating the lungs for atelectasis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of cast maintenance?

Preventing skin breakdown Signup and view all the answers

What should a client with an arm cast be instructed to report to the nurse?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of physical therapy for a client with a fractured femur?

Encouraging mobility to prevent atelectasis Signup and view all the answers

What is a key complication of compartment syndrome?

Nerve damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of applying skeletal traction to a client's leg?

To provide comfort by reducing muscle spasm and promoting fracture healing Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to provide pin care for a client with skeletal traction?

To prevent skin irritation and promote wound healing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using Buck's extension traction?

To provide countertraction and reduce shear and friction Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important instruction to teach a client with a fractured tibia who is using crutches?

To keep the feet 12 inches apart to provide stability and a wide base of support Signup and view all the answers

Why is it inappropriate to place the crutches under the client's arms for extra support?

It can cause skin breakdown in the area of the axilla Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of teaching a client how to stand on crutches?

To provide stability and support during ambulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important consideration when applying a cast to a client's leg?

To ensure proper alignment and immobilization of the affected leg Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of performing daily range of motion exercises with a client who has a cast?

To restore normal range of motion in the affected leg Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Traction and Immobilization

Provides comfort by reducing muscle spasm and provides fracture immobilization
Lengthens the fractured leg to prevent severing of blood vessels

Skeletal Traction

Prevents complications by inspecting the skin on the right leg at range of motion exercises daily
Prevents complications by giving pin care once a shift
Release of weights every shift to relax the limb is not recommended

Buck's Extension Traction

Provides counteraction to reduce shear and friction by slightly elevating the foot of the bed
Not used to provide rigid immobilization of the fracture site

Ambulation with Crutches

Incorrect to use the axillae to help carry the weight
Incorrect to take long strides to maintain maximum mobility
Keep feet 12" (30 cm) apart to provide stability and a wide base of support
All weight should be on the hands

Crutch Measurement

Crutches cannot rest up underneath the arm for extra support to prevent skin breakdown in the area of the axilla
Crutches cannot rest up underneath the arm for extra support to prevent injury to the brachial plexus nerves
Crutches cannot rest up underneath the arm for extra support to prevent a fall and further injury

Compartment Syndrome

Early symptom of compartment syndrome is pain that increases when the arm is independent
Not relieved by oxycodone and aspirin (Percodan)
Not characterized by cold, bluish-colored fingers
Not characterized by numbness and tingling in the fingers

Nursing Interventions

Priority intervention for a client with a fractured femur and skeletal traction is frequent neurovascular assessments of the affected leg
Not maintaining proper body alignment
Not inspection of pin sites for evidence of drainage or inflammation
Not applying an over-bed trapeze to assist the client with movement in bed

Neurovascular Assessment

Priority intervention for a 4-year-old with skeletal traction for treatment of a fracture of the right femur is notification of the healthcare provider
Not readjusting the traction
Not administering the ordered prn medication
Not reassessing the foot in fifteen minutes

Russell's Traction

Associated with auscultating the lungs for atelectasis
Not checking the skin on the sacrum for breakdown
Not inspecting the pin site for signs of infection
Not performing a neurovascular check for circulation

Diversional Activity

Appropriate diversional activity for a 5-year-old child with skeletal traction is playing hand-held games
Not kicking balloons with the right leg
Not playing "Simon Says"
Not throwing bean bags

Skin Care

Useful action to provide good skin care to a client in skeletal leg traction is asking the client to pull up on a trapeze to lift the hips off the bed
Not asking the client to lift up by digging into the administering care
Not pushing down on the mattress of the bed while administering care
Not having another nurse turn the client anyway

Pin Site Evaluation

Least concerned with serous drainage as a finding
Concerned with purulent drainage as a finding
Concerned with pain at a pin site as a finding
Concerned with inflammation as a finding

Nursing Diagnosis

Appropriate nursing diagnosis for a client immobilized in skeletal leg traction is deficient diversional activity
Not powerlessness
Not self-care deficit
Not impaired physical mobility

Pain Management

First action to take for a client with severe left leg pain in skeletal traction is to check the client's alignment in bed
Not medicating the client with an analgesic
Not providing pin care
Not calling the physician

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz assesses the nurse's understanding of orthopedic care, specifically in managing skeletal traction and fracture immobilization. It covers the purposes of skeletal traction and interventions to prevent complications.