The nurse is caring for a client with a fractured hip who has been placed in Buck's traction. On assessing the client, the nurse determines the client's feet are touching the end of the bed. What would be the best nursing action?
1. Assist the client to move up in the bed.
2. Raise the head of the bed.
3. Turn the client to the unaffected side.
4. Take no action if the client is comfortable.
Answer: 1
Pulling the client up in the bed will restore traction, and raising the foot of the bed will decrease the amount of sliding. Turning the client may cause further damage. Taking no action allows the traction to remain ineffective in this situation.
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