A nurse is reinforcing teaching about Russell’s traction with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A.
“Russell’s traction uses a sling under the knee to treat a fracture of the femur.”
B.
“Russell’s traction uses a cervical halter to decrease cervical muscle spasms.”
C.
“Russell’s traction uses skeletal pins to stabilize the fracture.”
D.
“Russell’s traction uses a pelvic girdle belt to decrease lower back pain.”
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
A. “Russell’s traction uses a sling under the knee to treat a fracture of the femur.”
Explanation:
Russell’s traction is a specific type of orthopedic traction used to treat femoral fractures, particularly in children and adolescents. The main goal of Russell’s traction is to align and immobilize the femur to facilitate proper healing of the fracture.
Russell’s traction involves the use of a sling that is positioned under the knee of the affected limb. This sling is attached to a system of weights and pulleys that apply a gentle, continuous force. The setup typically includes a knee sling that supports the knee and leg in a flexed position while pulling the lower leg in a direction that counteracts the natural muscle forces. This arrangement helps to realign and stabilize the fractured bone.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of why the other options are not correct:
B. “Russell’s traction uses a cervical halter to decrease cervical muscle spasms.”
This statement describes a different type of traction, known as cervical traction, which is used to treat conditions affecting the cervical spine, such as muscle spasms or herniated discs. It does not pertain to Russell’s traction, which is specifically designed for femoral fractures.
C. “Russell’s traction uses skeletal pins to stabilize the fracture.”
This description pertains to skeletal traction, a more invasive form of traction where pins or screws are inserted into the bone to hold it in place. Russell’s traction, on the other hand, does not use skeletal pins but instead relies on a sling and external weights.
D. “Russell’s traction uses a pelvic girdle belt to decrease lower back pain.”
This option describes a different therapeutic approach, often used for lower back pain or pelvic issues, and is not related to the treatment of femoral fractures as managed by Russell’s traction.
In summary, Russell’s traction specifically utilizes a sling under the knee to apply traction and manage femoral fractures, making option A the correct choice.