A Patient Has Received Lumbar Traction Once Before for Relief

A patient has received lumbar traction once before for relief of radicular symptoms and reported that the symptoms no longer were perceived in his left ankle but were now located in his right ankle. He returned today for traction, and, before setting up the traction, he confided in you that he has not been able to urinate since yesterday. What is the most appropriate course of action to take and why?

A) Set up the traction as before and monitor him closely.
B) Ignore him and set up the traction anyway.
C) Send him home and refuse to treat him until he sees a physician.
D) Call his physician and see if the patient can be seen immediately to rule out the possibility of a spinal tumor.