Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

In caring for a child in Buck's traction, which nursing intervention is appropriate?

1. Remove the weights when changing the bed linens.

2. Maintain the leg in an extended position.

3. Monitor the halo device every 4 hr.

4. Provide pin care as prescribed.

The correct answer is: Maintain the leg in an extended position.

Maintaining the leg in an extended position is crucial in Buck's traction as it aims to reduce muscle spasms and help align the bones or joints after a fracture or surgery. The primary goal of Buck's traction is to ensure the affected leg is properly stabilized and immobilized. Keeping the leg in an extended position allows for effective traction, which helps in realigning the bone or joint and alleviating pain caused by muscle contraction. The correct approach emphasizes the importance of traction mechanics, which relies on the continuous pull to allow the healing process and prevent complications such as further misalignment or contractures. It is vital for maintaining the therapeutic benefits of the traction setup. Other options might compromise the treatment's effectiveness or patient safety. For instance, removing weights can disrupt the traction mechanism, potentially leading to incorrect alignment and increased discomfort. Monitoring a halo device is relevant for other types of injuries but not for Buck's traction; this option is therefore not suitable. Providing pin care, while critical in some traction systems, pertains mainly to skeletal traction and is not a routine intervention in Buck's traction situations. Therefore, extending the leg aligns with the primary goal of its application.