Know how to care for them post op Flows into musculoskeletal is both

•Know how to care for them post-op

•What are the nursing responsibilities here?

• Perform ROM of unaffected extremity • If trapeze is available and pt has good upper body strength its good to use. • They can lift bottom off bed to prevent skin breakdown • Assess for urinary retention • If in traction a long time could develop respiratory complications – keep a look out for this

Skeletal traction • Skeletal traction ore for long term while bucks is usually short term • Person in traction plus pin care • Know how to assess pin sites, cleansing them, know how often you might do skin care • Know what the site might look like if its infected • What normal drainage and not normal drainage • Red and inflamed would be sings of infection

Cast care • Two types • Fiberglass and plaster pairs • Plaster cast • Takes longer to dry – what do you do while its drying? How do you handle the cast? • What's the position of the leg? • Elevated – reduce swelling • Assess toes to • Make sure there is circulation • Ask pt to wiggle toes • Ask pt can you feel me while touching toes • Making sure toes are warm • Neurovascular checks (“cant stress that enough”) • Color of toes – blue = call dr immediately

Complications • Fat emboli • Time frame is just a guideline. So if you read a question and you think its fat emboli don’t get flustered by the time line. • What does the nurse look for? (symptoms)