J.F., a 67-year-old woman, was involved in an auto accident and flown by emergency helicopter to your facility. She sustained a ruptured spleen, fractured pelvis, and compound fractures of the left femur. On admission (5 days ago) she underwent a splenectomy. Her pelvis was stabilized with an external fixation device 3 days ago, and, yesterday, her left femur was stabilized using balanced suspension with skeletal traction. She has a Thomas splint with a Pearson attachment on her left leg. She has 20 pounds of skeletal traction and 5 pounds applied to the balanced suspension. Her left femur is elevated off the bed at approximately 45 degrees. The lower leg is parallel to the bed and lies in a sling that the nurse adjusts on the frame, and the foot hangs freely.
This morning, J.F. was transferred to your orthopedic unit for specialized care. You are the nurse assigned to care for her on the night shift. You enter J.F.'s room for the first time. What aspects of the traction will you inspect?
What will be an ideal response?
• Inspect body alignment. Does the traction maintain the leg in proper alignment with the rest of
the body (not at an angle)?
• Inspect the weights to make certain they hang freely and are well off of the floor.
• Inspect all knots to make certain they are secure and away from the pulleys.
• Inspect the ropes to make certain they move freely in the pulleys and are not frayed.
• Inspect all pulleys to make certain they are tightly attached to the support bars.
• Inspect the position of the sling that supports the lower leg. Make certain the Achilles tendon does
not support the weight of the entire lower leg.
• Inspect the skin around the skeletal pin. Make certain it is not in contact with the frame.
• Inspect the skeletal pin through the left femur. Make certain it is not in contact with the frame.
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