A patient admitted with a hip fracture cannot be sent to surgery for fracture repair until medical clearance is provided. When the nurse sets up Buck's traction as per the order, the patient's family asks why the boot is needed.

The nurse's answer should be based on the knowledge that Buck's traction is used to:

1. Reduce pain and muscle spasms.
2. Align and stabilize the fracture.
3. Prevent further injury before surgery.

Buck's traction is used to reduce muscle spasms, pain, and prevent further injury in cases of hip/femur fractures until surgery can be carried out. The boot helps to keep the patient's leg in an optimal healing position and align the bones.

Explanation:

Buck's traction is a type of skin traction commonly used in the preoperative management of femur fractures, hip fractures and other lower limb conditions. Its main goal is to reduce muscle spasms, pain, and movements that may further injury. This device also helps to align and stabilize the hip/femur fracture region temporarily until surgical intervention can take place.

When a patient is wearing a Buck's traction boot, it helps to keep their affected leg in a specific position that is optimal for healing. The weight on the end of the boot pulls the patient’s leg, aiding in aligning the bones and decreasing muscle spasms which would otherwise cause more pain and potential complication.

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