ADULT HEALTH NURSING III 2026 ACTUAL
EXAM SCRIPT TESTED QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ traction. Answer: -Traction is used to:
(1) Prevent or reduce pain and muscle spasm (e.g., whiplash,
unrepaired hip fracture)
(2) Immobilize a joint or part of the body
(3) Reduce a fracture or dislocation
(4) Treat a pathologic joint condition (e.g., tumor, infection)
-Traction devices apply a pulling force on a fractured extremity to
attain realignment, while countertraction pulls in the opposite
direction.
-The two most common types of traction are skin traction and
skeletal traction.
Skin Traction:
-Skin traction is generally used for short-term treatment (48 to 72
hours) until skeletal traction or surgery is possible.
-Tape, boots, or splints are applied directly to the skin to maintain
alignment, primarily to help diminish muscle spasms in the injured
extremity.
-The traction weights are usually limited to 5 to 10 lbs (2.3 to 4.5 kg).
,-A Buck's traction boot is a type of skin traction used preoperatively
for the patient with a hip fracture to reduce muscle spasms
Buck's traction is used to immobilize a fracture, prevent hip flexion
contractures, and reduce muscle spasms.
-In skin traction, regular assessment of the skin is a priority because
pressure points and skin breakdown may develop quickly.
-Assess key pressure points every 2 to 4 hours.
Skeletal Traction:
-Skeletal traction, generally in place for longer periods than skin
traction, is used to align injured bones and joints or to treat joint
contractures and congenital hip dysplasia.
-It provides a long-term pull that keeps the injured bones and joints
aligned.
-To apply skeletal traction, the surgeon inserts a pin or wire into the
bone, and weights are attached to align and immobilize the injured
body part.
-Weight for skeletal traction ranges from 5 to 45 lbs (2.3 to 20.4 kg).
-The use of too much weight can result in delayed union or
nonunion.
-The major complication
◉ vertebral immobilization. Answer: -The body jacket brace is used
for immobilization and support for stable spine injuries of the
thoracic or lumbar spine.
,-The brace goes around the chest and abdomen, extending from
above the nipple line to the pubis.
-After application of the brace, assess the patient for the
development of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (cast
syndrome).
•This condition occurs if the brace is applied too tightly, which
results in compression of the superior mesenteric artery against the
duodenum.
•The patient generally complains of abdominal pain, abdominal
pressure, nausea, and vomiting.
•Assess the abdomen for decreased bowel sounds (a window in the
brace may be left over the umbilicus).
•Treatment includes gastric decompression with a nasogastric (NG)
tube and suction.
-Assessment also includes monitoring respiratory status, bowel and
bladder function, and areas of pressure over the bony prominences,
especially the iliac crest.
-The brace may need to be adjusted or removed if any complications
occur.
◉ lower extremity immobilization. Answer: -After the application of
a lower extremity cast or dressing, the extremity should be elevated
on pillows above heart level for the first 24 hours.
-After the initial phase, a casted extremity should not be placed in a
dependent position because of the possibility of excessive edema.
, -After cast application, observe for signs of compartment syndrome
and increased pressure, especially in the heel, anterior tibia, head of
fibula, and malleoli.
-This increased pressure is manifested by pain or burning in these
areas.
-Prefabricated knee and ankle splints and immobilizers are used in
many settings.
-This type of immobilization is easy to apply and remove, which
permits close observation of the affected joint for signs of swelling
and skin breakdown.
-Depending on the injury, removal of the splint or immobilizer
facilitates ROM of the affected joint and faster return to function.
◉ external fixation. Answer: -An external fixator is a metallic device
composed of metal pins that are inserted into the bone and attached
to external rods to stabilize the fracture while it heals.
-The external fixator is attached directly to the bones by
percutaneous transfixing pins or wires.
-It can be used to apply traction or to compress fracture fragments
and immobilize reduced fragments when the use of a cast or other
traction is not appropriate.
-The external device holds fracture fragments in place similar to a
surgically implanted internal device.
-External fixation is often used in an attempt to salvage extremities
that otherwise might require amputation.
EXAM SCRIPT TESTED QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ traction. Answer: -Traction is used to:
(1) Prevent or reduce pain and muscle spasm (e.g., whiplash,
unrepaired hip fracture)
(2) Immobilize a joint or part of the body
(3) Reduce a fracture or dislocation
(4) Treat a pathologic joint condition (e.g., tumor, infection)
-Traction devices apply a pulling force on a fractured extremity to
attain realignment, while countertraction pulls in the opposite
direction.
-The two most common types of traction are skin traction and
skeletal traction.
Skin Traction:
-Skin traction is generally used for short-term treatment (48 to 72
hours) until skeletal traction or surgery is possible.
-Tape, boots, or splints are applied directly to the skin to maintain
alignment, primarily to help diminish muscle spasms in the injured
extremity.
-The traction weights are usually limited to 5 to 10 lbs (2.3 to 4.5 kg).
,-A Buck's traction boot is a type of skin traction used preoperatively
for the patient with a hip fracture to reduce muscle spasms
Buck's traction is used to immobilize a fracture, prevent hip flexion
contractures, and reduce muscle spasms.
-In skin traction, regular assessment of the skin is a priority because
pressure points and skin breakdown may develop quickly.
-Assess key pressure points every 2 to 4 hours.
Skeletal Traction:
-Skeletal traction, generally in place for longer periods than skin
traction, is used to align injured bones and joints or to treat joint
contractures and congenital hip dysplasia.
-It provides a long-term pull that keeps the injured bones and joints
aligned.
-To apply skeletal traction, the surgeon inserts a pin or wire into the
bone, and weights are attached to align and immobilize the injured
body part.
-Weight for skeletal traction ranges from 5 to 45 lbs (2.3 to 20.4 kg).
-The use of too much weight can result in delayed union or
nonunion.
-The major complication
◉ vertebral immobilization. Answer: -The body jacket brace is used
for immobilization and support for stable spine injuries of the
thoracic or lumbar spine.
,-The brace goes around the chest and abdomen, extending from
above the nipple line to the pubis.
-After application of the brace, assess the patient for the
development of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (cast
syndrome).
•This condition occurs if the brace is applied too tightly, which
results in compression of the superior mesenteric artery against the
duodenum.
•The patient generally complains of abdominal pain, abdominal
pressure, nausea, and vomiting.
•Assess the abdomen for decreased bowel sounds (a window in the
brace may be left over the umbilicus).
•Treatment includes gastric decompression with a nasogastric (NG)
tube and suction.
-Assessment also includes monitoring respiratory status, bowel and
bladder function, and areas of pressure over the bony prominences,
especially the iliac crest.
-The brace may need to be adjusted or removed if any complications
occur.
◉ lower extremity immobilization. Answer: -After the application of
a lower extremity cast or dressing, the extremity should be elevated
on pillows above heart level for the first 24 hours.
-After the initial phase, a casted extremity should not be placed in a
dependent position because of the possibility of excessive edema.
, -After cast application, observe for signs of compartment syndrome
and increased pressure, especially in the heel, anterior tibia, head of
fibula, and malleoli.
-This increased pressure is manifested by pain or burning in these
areas.
-Prefabricated knee and ankle splints and immobilizers are used in
many settings.
-This type of immobilization is easy to apply and remove, which
permits close observation of the affected joint for signs of swelling
and skin breakdown.
-Depending on the injury, removal of the splint or immobilizer
facilitates ROM of the affected joint and faster return to function.
◉ external fixation. Answer: -An external fixator is a metallic device
composed of metal pins that are inserted into the bone and attached
to external rods to stabilize the fracture while it heals.
-The external fixator is attached directly to the bones by
percutaneous transfixing pins or wires.
-It can be used to apply traction or to compress fracture fragments
and immobilize reduced fragments when the use of a cast or other
traction is not appropriate.
-The external device holds fracture fragments in place similar to a
surgically implanted internal device.
-External fixation is often used in an attempt to salvage extremities
that otherwise might require amputation.
