When providing care for a child who is in balanced suspension skeletal traction using a Thomas splint and Pearson attachment to the right femur, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
A.
Cleanse pin sites as prescribed.
B.
Monitor peripheral pulses and sensation in the right leg.
C.
Assess skin for redness and signs of tissue breakdown.
D.
Change position every 2 hours.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The most important intervention for the nurse to implement when providing care for a child in balanced suspension skeletal traction with a Thomas splint and Pearson attachment to the right femur is:
B. Monitor peripheral pulses and sensation in the right leg.
Explanation:
Balanced suspension skeletal traction is used to align and stabilize fractured bones by applying a steady pulling force. The Thomas splint and Pearson attachment help maintain the alignment of the femur and provide stable traction. Given this setup, the primary focus is on ensuring proper blood flow and nerve function in the affected limb. Monitoring peripheral pulses and sensation is crucial for several reasons:
- Circulation Monitoring: The application of skeletal traction can lead to increased pressure on blood vessels, potentially causing compromised blood flow. Checking peripheral pulses helps assess whether the blood is circulating effectively to the extremities. Weak or absent pulses may indicate reduced perfusion, which requires immediate intervention.
- Nerve Function Assessment: Skeletal traction can also affect nerves due to mechanical pressure or swelling. Assessing sensation helps detect any neurological deficits or changes in sensation that might indicate nerve compression or damage. This assessment is essential to prevent long-term complications and to address any issues before they become severe.
- Prevention of Complications: If circulation or nerve function is impaired, it can lead to severe complications such as tissue necrosis, muscle atrophy, or permanent nerve damage. Early detection of these issues allows for timely interventions, such as adjusting the traction setup, modifying positioning, or providing additional treatments to address the complications.
While the other options—cleansing pin sites, assessing skin integrity, and changing position—are also important components of care for a child in traction, they do not directly address the critical aspects of circulation and nerve function. Cleaning pin sites (A) is essential to prevent infection, but it is not as immediate in its impact on limb health as monitoring pulses. Assessing skin (C) and changing positions (D) are also vital but secondary to ensuring that the fundamental physiological functions are intact.
In summary, monitoring peripheral pulses and sensation (B) is the most critical intervention to ensure that the traction does not adversely affect circulation or nerve function, which are essential for the limb’s overall health and recovery.