The nurse is caring for a patient who has a displaced midshaft fracture of the left femur and is in balanced suspension skeletal traction with 35 pounds of weights. The patient reports calf pain with right foot dorsiflexion. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Calf pain with right foot dorsiflexion could be a sign of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) which is a serious complication associated with skeletal traction. The nurse should notify the registered nurse immediately for further assessment and intervention. Encouraging dorsiflexion more frequently or reducing 5 pounds of weight may not address the underlying issue and could potentially worsen the patient's condition. Checking the traction setup may be appropriate in other situations, but in this case, the patient's symptom requires prompt attention.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has a Displaced