A nurse is caring for a client who has skeletal traction applied to the left leg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Nursing care for a client with skeletal traction focuses on maintaining proper body alignment, ensuring continuous traction, and preventing complications of immobility. Skeletal traction uses pins, wires, or tongs inserted directly into the bone to provide prolonged pulling force for fracture alignment and muscle spasm reduction. Because traction must remain uninterrupted, the nurse must support safe movement without disturbing the prescribed pull. Preventing skin breakdown, neurovascular compromise, and muscle weakness is an important part of ongoing care. Rationale: A. Removing the weights before changing the client’s bed linens is inappropriate because traction must remain continuous to maintain bone alignment and therapeutic effectiveness. Interrupting traction can cause muscle spasms, displacement of the fracture, and increased pain. The weights should hang freely at all times and should never be removed unless specifically prescribed by the provider. B. Checking pressure points every 12 hours is insufficient for a client in skeletal traction because immobility places the client at high risk for skin breakdown and pressure injuries. Skin assessment should be performed more frequently, usually every 2 to 4 hours depending on facility protocol and patient condition. Early identification of redness or tissue injury helps prevent serious complications such as pressure ulcers. C. Instructing the client to use their elbows to reposition is not recommended because it increases the risk of skin friction, nerve compression, and upper body strain. Pulling with the elbows can also lead to skin breakdown and ineffective repositioning. Clients in traction should use approved assistive devices rather than dragging themselves across the bed surface. D. Providing the client with a trapeze bar is appropriate because it allows safe repositioning without disrupting the traction setup. The trapeze helps the client lift the upper body using arm strength while maintaining proper alignment of the affected extremity. This promotes independence, reduces the risk of skin breakdown, and helps preserve continuous traction force.