1-26
1-26. PREPARING THE PATIENT AND HIS UNIT FOR TRACTION
a. There are many local variations in traction procedures, depending upon the preferences of the orthopedic surgeons. The nursing procedures described for the care of patients in traction are only guidelines and are subject to amendment by specific orders of the medical officer. In Department of the Army hospitals, an orthopedic technician usually assists the physician in application of traction. The nursing personnel may be required to assist occasionally, but it is not a nursing responsibility to construct traction. It is a nursing responsibility to recognize and report defects in the traction system so that the defects can be corrected by qualified personnel. The nursing personnel's primary responsibility lies in giving quality nursing care. In order to give effective nursing care to a patient in traction, one should have an understanding of the basic forms of traction and recognize some principle features of standard traction apparatus.
b. Check the physician's orders to determine the type and location of the traction to be applied before you prepare the patient for application of traction.
(1) Remove pajama trousers for application of traction to a lower limb. A towel should be provided for use as a loin-cloth style drape.
(2) Remove pajama coat for application of arm or cervical traction. If a pajama coat is used, it may be worn backward, leaving the affected arm free.
(3) Offer a bedpan or urinal prior to the start of the procedure.
(4) Assemble any equipment or dressing materials that may be needed.
c. Prepare the patient's bed with a firm mattress and a bedboard if one is required. Make the bed with a draw sheet over the bottom linen and fold the top linen back and leave untucked. Depending upon the type of
traction to be applied, assemble the following equipment and complete the bed.
(1) Provide a footboard or sandbags to support the foot that is not in traction. Foot support for the leg in traction is usually provided by means of a footrest, attached when traction is applied.
(2) Attach an overhead Balkan frame with trapeze or an orthopedic head or footboard as appropriate.
(3) Provide several firm, plastic-covered pillows.
