CARE OF THE PATIENT IN SKELETAL TRACTION

  1. Explain procedure to patient and provide privacy.
  2. Set trolley with sterile dressing set, sterile cotton balls, sterile gauze packs, normal saline and povidine iodine.
  3. Wash hands and observe infection prevention measures and inspect the traction apparatus.
  4. Ensure patient is in the appropriate position, check that the head, knee and foot of the bed are properly elevated and trapeze well padded.
  5. Turn patient as a unit to prevent neck from twisting.
  6. In case of dislodgement of skull or steinmann’s pin, support the head, remove the weight, place sandbags or water bags on either sides of the head or leg to maintain proper alignment.
  7. Assess neuro-vascular status of the affected extremity.
  8. Inspect carefully the pin daily to detect infections early and provide pin site care using aseptic technique.
  9. Remove crusts from site and apply prescribed dressing agent and loosely apply gauze dressing around the pin site, obtain sample if purulent for laboratory investigation.
  10. Teach patient deep breathing and coughing exercises, flexion and extension of affected limb’s toes and range of motion exercises of the unaffected limb.
  11. Thank patient for his co-operation.
  12. Wash, dry hands and document procedure noting abnormalities.

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