Buck’s Traction & Postoperative Care
Med Surg: Musculoskeletal
Buck’s Traction
KEY POINTS
KAPLAN
Weights: free hanging at all times The nurse provides care for the client in
Buck’s traction. Which is the most important
Traction ropes TIGHT! nursing action to maintain effective traction?
NOT loose
NOT resting “on bed or floor”
SAUNDER’S
Reposition: hold weights
Q1: Skin traction... The nurse should monitor
which priority finding in this client?
Used short term before surgery Keep limb in neutral position Signs of skin breakdown
realign hip & femur fractures, Q2: A client has Buck's extension traction
Assess for skin breakdown applied to the right leg. Which intervention
to stop muscle spasms. This dev should the nurse plan to prevent complications
pulls bones back into place with Neuro checks on limb: P,M,S,C of the device?
Traction ropes rest against the footboard
hanging weights. Supine position (flat) NCLEX TIP Q3: Client in traction ... The nurse ... should
include which action in the plan?
DO NOT elevate HOB Check the weights to ensure that they are
off the floor
Over 25 degrees
KAPLAN
A nurse is caring for a client who is
KEY WORDS postoperative total hip arthroplasty. Which
of the following laboratory values should
Hip & Femur Surgery the nurse report to the provider?
● Total hip replacement
● ORIF “open reduction
internal fixation” HESI
Which interventions will the nurse include
in postoperative nursing care for a patient
PRIORITIZE the order
Hemoglobin who has undergone a hip fracture repair?
Wound assessment with special
attention to pain and to color, amount,
1. Bleeding Normal 12 - 18
2. Infection Risky 8 - 11 Saunder’s
Below 7 Skeletal traction ... When
evaluating the pin sites, the nurse
would be most concerned with
1. Bleeding NCLEX TIP which finding?
WBC 17,000
Thick, yellow drainage from the
Hemoglobin Less than 7 = HEAVEN
Report to HCP!!
Monitor pulses distal to injury
Hypotension & tachycardia KAPLAN
2. Infection Total hip arthroplasty … Following surgery,
Elevated WBC NCLEX TIP it is most important to place the patient in
which position?
(norm: 5,000 - 10,000)
Assess drainage: color, amount & odor
Perform pin care with a sterile solution
HESI
The nurse is providing care for an elderly
patient who has an internal fixation
Positioning Education device after surgery for a hip fracture.
Which interventions should the nurse
Total hip arthroplasty: NCLEX TIP Saunder’s implement while providing care for this
Abducted legs: Place a pillow between patient? Select all that apply.
... after internal fixation of a
Turn the patient every 2 hours
the legs Kaplan fractured right hip … which
Provide assistive devices for walking,
NO crossing legs method to reposition the client?
such as a walker
NO leaning forward (NO tying shoes) A pillow to keep the right leg Instruct the patient not to cross legs
abducted during turning Elevate the head of the bed to
NO sitting in chairs (90 degree angle) 45-degrees
Med Surg: Musculoskeletal
Buck’s Traction
KEY POINTS
KAPLAN
Weights: free hanging at all times The nurse provides care for the client in
Buck’s traction. Which is the most important
Traction ropes TIGHT! nursing action to maintain effective traction?
NOT loose
NOT resting “on bed or floor”
SAUNDER’S
Reposition: hold weights
Q1: Skin traction... The nurse should monitor
which priority finding in this client?
Used short term before surgery Keep limb in neutral position Signs of skin breakdown
realign hip & femur fractures, Q2: A client has Buck's extension traction
Assess for skin breakdown applied to the right leg. Which intervention
to stop muscle spasms. This dev should the nurse plan to prevent complications
pulls bones back into place with Neuro checks on limb: P,M,S,C of the device?
Traction ropes rest against the footboard
hanging weights. Supine position (flat) NCLEX TIP Q3: Client in traction ... The nurse ... should
include which action in the plan?
DO NOT elevate HOB Check the weights to ensure that they are
off the floor
Over 25 degrees
KAPLAN
A nurse is caring for a client who is
KEY WORDS postoperative total hip arthroplasty. Which
of the following laboratory values should
Hip & Femur Surgery the nurse report to the provider?
● Total hip replacement
● ORIF “open reduction
internal fixation” HESI
Which interventions will the nurse include
in postoperative nursing care for a patient
PRIORITIZE the order
Hemoglobin who has undergone a hip fracture repair?
Wound assessment with special
attention to pain and to color, amount,
1. Bleeding Normal 12 - 18
2. Infection Risky 8 - 11 Saunder’s
Below 7 Skeletal traction ... When
evaluating the pin sites, the nurse
would be most concerned with
1. Bleeding NCLEX TIP which finding?
WBC 17,000
Thick, yellow drainage from the
Hemoglobin Less than 7 = HEAVEN
Report to HCP!!
Monitor pulses distal to injury
Hypotension & tachycardia KAPLAN
2. Infection Total hip arthroplasty … Following surgery,
Elevated WBC NCLEX TIP it is most important to place the patient in
which position?
(norm: 5,000 - 10,000)
Assess drainage: color, amount & odor
Perform pin care with a sterile solution
HESI
The nurse is providing care for an elderly
patient who has an internal fixation
Positioning Education device after surgery for a hip fracture.
Which interventions should the nurse
Total hip arthroplasty: NCLEX TIP Saunder’s implement while providing care for this
Abducted legs: Place a pillow between patient? Select all that apply.
... after internal fixation of a
Turn the patient every 2 hours
the legs Kaplan fractured right hip … which
Provide assistive devices for walking,
NO crossing legs method to reposition the client?
such as a walker
NO leaning forward (NO tying shoes) A pillow to keep the right leg Instruct the patient not to cross legs
abducted during turning Elevate the head of the bed to
NO sitting in chairs (90 degree angle) 45-degrees
