Nokea
A patient is admitted to the unit in traction for a fractured proximal femur and requires traction prior to surgery. What is the most appropriate type of traction to apply to a fractured proximal femur?
- A. Russell's traction
- B. Dunlop's traction
- C. Buck's extension traction
- D. Cervical head halter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Buck's extension is used for fractures of the proximal femur. Russell's traction is used for lower leg fractures. Dunlop's traction is applied to the upper extremity for supracondylar fractures of the elbow and humerus. Cervical head halters are used to stabilize the neck.
You may also like to solve these questions
An elderly patient's hip joint is immobilized prior to surgery to correct a femoral head fracture. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
- A. The presence of leg shortening
- B. The patient's complaints of pain
- C. Signs of neurovascular compromise
- D. The presence of internal or external rotation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Because impaired circulation can cause permanent damage, neurovascular assessment of the affected leg is always a priority assessment. Leg shortening and internal or external rotation are common findings with a fractured hip. Pain, especially on movement, is also common after a hip fracture.
A nurse is admitting a patient to the unit who presented with a lower extremity fracture. What signs and symptoms would suggest to the nurse that the patient may have a peroneal nerve injury?
- A. Numbness and burning of the foot
- B. Pallor to the dorsal surface of the foot
- C. Visible cyanosis in the toes
- D. Inadequate capillary refill to the toes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Peroneal nerve injury may result in numbness, tingling, and burning in the feet. Cyanosis, pallor, and decreased capillary refill are signs of inadequate circulation.
A nurse is reviewing a patient's activities of daily living prior to discharge from total hip replacement. The nurse should identify what activity as posing a potential risk for hip dislocation?
- A. Straining during a bowel movement
- B. Bending down to put on socks
- C. Lifting items above shoulder level
- D. Transferring from a sitting to standing position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bending to put on socks or shoes can cause hip dislocation. None of the other listed actions poses a serious threat to the integrity of the new hip.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is in skeletal traction. To prevent the complication of skin breakdown in a patient with skeletal traction, what action should be included in the plan of care?
- A. Apply occlusive dressings to the pin sites.
- B. Encourage the patient to push up with the elbows when repositioning.
- C. Encourage the patient to perform isometric exercises once a shift.
- D. Assess the pin insertion site every 8 hours.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pin insertion site should be assessed every 8 hours for inflammation and infection. Loose cover dressings should be applied to pin sites. The patient should be encouraged to use the overhead trapeze to shift weight for repositioning. Isometric exercises should be done 10 times an hour while awake.
The nursing care plan for a patient in traction specifies regular assessments for venous thromboembolism (VTE). When assessing a patient's lower limbs, what sign or symptom is suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
- A. Increased warmth of the calf
- B. Decreased circumference of the calf
- C. Loss of sensation to the calf
- D. Pale-appearing calf
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of DVT include increased warmth, redness, swelling, and calf tenderness. These findings are promptly reported to the physician for definitive evaluation and therapy. Signs and symptoms of a DVT do not include a decreased circumference of the calf, a loss of sensation in the calf, or a pale-appearing calf.