A 6-year-old patient who has been placed in skeletal traction has pain, edema, and fever.
The nurse should assess which of the following?

The statement that best describes Tanner staging is option B. Tanner staging is a system used
to classify and assess the progression of puberty based on the development of both primary
and secondary sexual characteristics. It provides a framework for evaluating the physical
changes that occur during puberty, such as breast development in females, testicular
enlargement in males, pubic hair growth, and other secondary sexual characteristics. The
Tanner staging system includes several stages that represent the sequential progression of
puberty in individuals.
staging of puberty based on the initiation of primary sexual characteristics in (option A) is not
correct because it, does not encompass the full scope of Tanner staging, as it does not
consider the progression of secondary sexual characteristics.
staging of puberty based on the initiation of menarche (the onset of menstruation) and
nocturnal emissions, in (option C) is not correct. While menarche and nocturnal emissions are
significant events that occur during puberty, they do not encompass the entire Tanner staging
system, which involves a broader range of physical changes.
predictable stages of puberty based on chronologic age, in (option D) is not correct. Tanner
staging is based on the progression of physical changes and sexual maturation, rather than
being solely determined by chronological age. Puberty can vary in onset and duration among
individuals, making chronological age an unreliable indicator of pubertal development.

In the given scenario, the 6-year-old patient in skeletal traction is experiencing
pain, edema, and fever. These symptoms raise concerns about the possibility of an infection
at the site of traction. In such cases, the nurse should assess for warmth at the site of pain.
Increased warmth can indicate inflammation, which may be associated with infection. This
assessment finding would require further investigation and intervention, such as notifying the
healthcare provider and obtaining appropriate cultures or imaging studies.
Neurologic status in (Option A) is incorrect because assessing neurologic status, is important
but not the priority in this scenario. Neurologic status assessment is typically performed to
evaluate any neurovascular compromise resulting from the traction, but the presence of pain,
edema, and fever suggests a potential infection that requires immediate attention.
Range of motion of all extremities in (Option B) is incorrect because assessing the range of
motion of all extremities, is not directly relevant to the given symptoms and should not take
priority over assessing for warmth at the site of pain.
Blood pressure in (Option D) is incorrect because assessing blood pressure, is not directly
related to the symptoms of pain, edema, and fever in the context of skeletal traction. While
blood pressure is an essential vital sign, it does not provide specific information about the
potential infection at the site of pain in this situation.