College

You apply Buck's traction to Mrs. Peters' right leg. Which of the following nursing interventions will you plan to prevent complications of the device?

a) Loosening the traction periodically
b) Providing frequent skin assessments
c) Encouraging vigorous leg movements
d) Applying pressure to the traction site

Answer :

Final answer:

To prevent complications of Buck's traction on Mrs. Peters' right leg, the best nursing intervention is to provide frequent skin assessments to monitor for pressure, irritation, or skin breakdown.

Explanation:

When managing a patient with Buck's traction, it is important to ensure that the device is properly maintained to avoid complications. One of the key nursing interventions in this case is to provide frequent skin assessments. This includes checking for signs of irritation, breakdown, or pressure ulcers due to the device.

Unlike the incorrect options, such as loosening the traction periodically which could disrupt the traction's purpose, encouraging vigorous leg movements which might interfere with the healing process, or applying pressure to the traction site which could cause additional harm, frequent skin assessments help in early detection of potential issues and ensure the patient's skin integrity is preserved.