A nurse is discussing skeletal and skin traction with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the newly licensed nurse understands these therapies?
"Skeletal traction is better than skin traction for reducing a fracture."
"Clients in skin traction have more mobility than those in skeletal traction."
"Skeletal traction has less risk for infection than skin traction."
"Clients in skin traction have more discomfort than those in skeletal traction."
The Correct Answer is A
a. Skeletal traction is often better than skin traction for reducing and maintaining alignment of a fracture because it involves the insertion of pins, wires, or screws directly into the bone, allowing for greater force and stability.
b. Clients in skin traction typically have less mobility compared to those in skeletal traction. Skin traction is usually used for short-term purposes or less severe fractures and involves attaching weights to the skin using adhesive materials or bandages, which can limit movement to some extent.
c. Skeletal traction involves inserting hardware into the bone, which creates an entry point for potential infection. Therefore, it has a higher risk for infection compared to skin traction, which does not involve invasive procedures.
d. While both types of traction can cause discomfort, skeletal traction is typically more invasive and can be associated with more discomfort and pain due to the pins or wires inserted into the bone. Skin traction, while uncomfortable due to the adhesive and pressure on the skin, generally causes less discomfort than skeletal traction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should place the client's right leg in abduction following a right total hip arthroplasty. Abduction means moving the leg away from the midline of the body. This position helps to prevent hip dislocation by keeping the hip joint in proper alignment.
Internal rotation, adduction, and external rotation are not appropriate positions for the client's right leg following a right total hip arthroplasty. Internal rotation means turning the leg inward towards the midline of the body. Adduction means moving the leg towards the midline of the body. External rotation means turning the leg outward away from the midline of the body. These positions can increase the risk of hip dislocation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
a. Decorticate posturing is marked by the flexion of the arms, with the hands clenched into fists and the legs extended and internally rotated.
b. External rotation of the lower extremities is not a characteristic of decorticate posturing. In decorticate posture, legs are held out straight.
c.Pronation of the hands is characteristic of decerebrate posturing, where the arms are extended and pronated.
d. In decorticate posturing, the lower extremities typically exhibit plantar flexion. Additionally, the upper extremities show flexion of the arms, wrists, and fingers with adduction of the arms.
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