A Patient with an Intracapsular Fracture of the Left Femur

A patient with an intracapsular fracture of the left femur is placed in Buck's traction before surgery for a hip replacement. The patient asks why traction is necessary when surgery is planned. The nurse's response to the patient is based on the knowledge that traction

A) will help prevent flexion contractures of the affected hip.
B) is necessary to prevent displacement of the fracture.
C) will decrease the incidence of painful muscle spasms
D) is used to maintain the leg in the external rotation position.