University:
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Course:
NURS-250 | Foundations of Professional Nursing
Academic year:

2022
Views:

215

Pages:

1
Author:

Alvin Bradford

ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Nursing Skill STUDENT NAME _____________________________________ Bucks Traction SKILL NAME ____________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________ Description of Skill Buck's extension traction is a type of skin traction. The nurse inspects the skin of the limb in traction at least once every 8 hours for irritation or Inﬂammation. Massaging the skin with lotion is not indicated. The nurse never releases the weights of traction unless speciﬁcally ordered by the physician. There are no pins to care for with skin traction. Indications A running skin traction that can be used temporarily to immobilize a fracture of the hip/femur until it is possible to do surgery. It can also be used to relieve muscle spasms in the lower back, to prevent contracture after computation, or to realign the vertebrae in a client with scoliosis. Outcomes/Evaluation Check the patient’s neurovascular observations hourly and record in the medical record. If the bandage is too tight it can cause blood circulation to be slowed. Monitoring of swelling of the femur should also occur to monitor for compartment syndrome. Potential Complications Skin breakdown/pressure areas Neurovascular impairment Compartment syndrome Joint contractures Constipation from immobility and analgesics ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES CONSIDERATIONS Nursing Interventions (pre, intra, post) Ensure the correct amount of water has been added to the traction weight bag as per medical orders. Fold foam stirrup around the heel, ankle and lower leg of affected limb. Apply bandage, starting at the ankle, up the lower leg using a ﬁgure 8 technique, secure with sleek tape Client Education The patient is able to sit up in bed and participate in quiet activities such as craft, board games and watching TV. Play therapy will be beneﬁcial for patients in traction long term. Nursing Interventions Ensure that the traction weight bag is hanging freely, the bag must not rest on the bed or the ﬂoor If the rope becomes frayed replace them The rope must be in the pulley tracks Ensure the bandages are free from wrinkles Tilt the bed to maintain counter traction THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE A9