Skeletal Traction

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Skeletal traction is used most frequently in the treatment of fractures of the femur, the tibia, the humerus, and the cervical spine. The traction is applied directly to the bone by use of a metal pin or wire inserted into or through the bone or by tongs inserted into the skull. The pin, wire, or tong is then attached to the traction apparatus.

Assessment a) Assess the a) postoperative wound, for patients b) underwent surgical repair. i)

Assess any break in skin integrity.

ii)

Assess signs of infection, due to insertion of foreign bodies (pins,

Patient problems

Nursing Intervention

Patient may a) Monitor vital signs a) develop and lab reports of infection. WBC’s. Patient b) prone to get i) Use sterile pressure technique for sore and dressing infection. changes. ii) Assess wound for size, color, discharge. iii) Administer antibioticsprophylactic for 24 hours, per physician’s order.

Rationale Patient free from infection. Patient’s wound heals fast.

Assessment

Patient problems

Nursing Intervention

b) Assess factors b) The potential a) which may problem of causing or pain due to b) contributing to soft tissue pain and damage general muscle with muscle wasting due to spasm & immobility. swelling. c)

Monitor vital a) signs. Move client gently & slowly to b) prevent development of severe muscle spasm. Encourage distraction, deep breathing & relaxation may lessen the pain.

Rationale To lessen pain at site. Patient feel comfortable.

Assessment c) Assess impaired physical mobility.

Patient problems

Nursing Intervention

Rationale

c) Patient’s c) Teach and assist c) To normal patient with ROM maintain gait and exercises of the strength& mobility unaffected limbs. joint function. altered. i) Encourage i) Turning & i) Patient will ambulation when shifting need to able ; provide weight use assistance. increase assistive ii) Teach patient to circulation & devices – help prevent shift his or her slings, skin weight, every canes, breakdown. hour. crutches. iii) Teach and ii) Proper use of observe the patient’s use of asst.devices assistive devices. need for safe ambulation ; prevent loss of joint

Assessment

d) Assess compartment syndrome or deep vein thrombosis.

Patient problems

Nursing Intervention

Rationale

d) Patient may d) Assess pain, pallor, d) To prevent experience diminished distal incident of impaired pulses, DVT / circulation. paresthesia and thrombophleb paresis, every 1 itis. to 2 hours. D(i) i) Apply thigh-high Ambulation elastic (TED) maintains and stockings to the improves legs, observe legscirculation, for helps prevent thrombophlebitis muscle or DVT. atrophy, DVT. ii) Encourage passive exercises& ambulate if possible.

Assessment

Patient problems

Nursing Intervention

Rationale

e) Assess e) Patient may e) Avoid dehydration e) Enable constipation & develop ; provide 2 patient to urinary constipatio litres /day fluid defecate& retention due to n and intake. empty the immobility. urinary bladder e(i) Provide high tract without fibre food ; infection, feeling encourage due to discomfort. family to bring in retention. fruits, fruit juices & cereals. (ii) Give privacy when using bedpan / urinal.

Baby Sanggari Sandhya S.Vigneswari Lokes K.Gayathiri Clothiel Shalini Aarthi

D.Gayathre Suga