Traction

Yep. I found your actual Kaplan NCLEX The Basics book in your Library, and your NUR 212 syllabus specifically assigns traction pp. 388–390 for Quiz 1.

Here is what I would study from those pages, condensed into quiz-ready nursing notes.

NUR 212 Quiz 1 — Traction1. Why do we use traction?

Kaplan gives 4 purposes:

  • Immobilize a fracture

  • Decrease pain and muscle spasms

  • Prevent/correct deformity

  • Promote healing

Think: pull → align → immobilize → decrease spasm → heal.

2. Skin vs. Skeletal TractionSkin traction

Noninvasive — does NOT penetrate skin.

Kaplan examples:

  • Buck extension

  • Balanced suspension

  • Russell

  • Pelvic traction

Skeletal traction

Invasive — penetrates the skin/bone.

Examples:

  • Halo fixation

  • Crutchfield tongs

Easy test distinction

Skin = pulling force applied through skin.

Skeletal = pins/tongs/etc. penetrate the body → infection becomes an important concern.

3. GENERAL TRACTION RULES — KNOW THESE COLD

This is probably the highest-yield part of the assigned reading.

Kaplan's nursing management says:

  • Keep ropes and pulleys straight/aligned

  • Make sure weights hang freely

  • Frequently inspect the skin for breakdown

  • Maintain proper countertraction

  • Encourage movement of unaffected areas

  • Investigate every patient complaint

  • Maintain continuous pull

  • For pins: sterile saline + sterile swabs 1–2 times/day as prescribed

🚨 Quiz question:

You enter the room and see the traction weight resting on the floor.

Problem.

The weights need to hang freely.

Another likely question:

Patient complains of new/severe pain while in traction.

Don't just assume it's expected fracture pain.

Kaplan specifically says to investigate every report immediately and thoroughly.

4. Buck Traction

This one I would know especially well.

Purpose

Relieves muscle spasms of the legs/back.

Kaplan numbers

8–20 lb normally.

Kaplan also lists 40 lb for scoliosis.

I would memorize 8–20 lb since your instructor has previously emphasized numbers/charts.

Positioning/care

  • Elevate foot of bed → provides countertraction.

  • Trapeze can help patient move.

  • Pillow goes beneath lower legs — NOT beneath heel.

  • Don't elevate the knee gatch.

  • If there's no fracture, patient may turn to either side.

  • With a fracture, turn toward the unaffected side.

High-yield:

Buck = foot of bed elevated + weights free + lower leg supported + heel protected.

5. Russell Traction

Purpose is to provide pull against contracted muscles.

Know:

  • Elevate foot of bed using shock blocks → countertraction

  • Sling can be loosened for skin care

  • Check popliteal pulse

  • Pillow under lower leg

  • Keep heel OFF bed

  • Patient must not turn from waist down

  • When assisting → lift the patient, NOT the leg

The assessment that jumps out:

Russell traction → check POPLITEAL PULSE.

That is exactly the kind of specific association I'd memorize for a quiz.

6. Cervical/Skull Tongs

Purpose:

Realign cervical vertebral fracture + relieve pressure on cervical nerve.

BIG RULE

Never lift the weights.

Traction must remain continuous.

Also:

  • No pillow under head while feeding.

  • Patient may have difficulty swallowing.

  • May require suctioning.

If you get:

Nurse is caring for patient in cervical traction. Which action requires intervention?

Someone lifting/removing the weights would be a major red flag.

7. Balanced Suspension

Used to realign femur fractures.

It uses a pulley system to create balanced suspension/countertraction.

Kaplan identifies:

Thomas splint → under anterior thigh.

Pearson attachment → supports leg from knee down.

I'd know those names, but I would put them below Buck/Russell/general traction principles in priority.

8. Halo Fixation

Used for cervical spine immobilization.

Pins are inserted into the skull to maintain traction.

Pin care

Use sterile technique.

If prescribed:

Sterile saline + sterile swabs 1–2 times/day.

Therefore think:

Halo → cervical spine → pins → infection/pin-site care.

🔢 NUMBERS TO MEMORIZE

For these assigned pages, there really aren't many:

Number

Know it for

8–20 lb

Buck traction

40 lb

Listed for scoliosis

1–2 times/day

Pin cleaning with sterile saline/swabs


Those are the numbers I'd put directly into Knowt.

🚨 PRIORITY / NCLEX THINKING

If they give you a traction patient, mentally check:

1. Alignment
Is the patient properly aligned?

2. Continuous traction
Has anything interrupted the pull?

3. Weights
Are they hanging freely?

4. Ropes/pulleys
Are they straight and functioning?

5. Neurovascular status
Think circulation, movement, sensation distal to injury.

6. Skin
Pressure injury/breakdown?

7. Pins
If skeletal traction → infection/pin-site care.

8. New complaint/pain
Investigate it — don't dismiss it.

What I would memorize tonight

If this is a relatively short Quiz 1, I wouldn't bury yourself in traction.

Know these associations:

Buck → 8–20 lb → elevate foot of bed → pillow under lower leg, not heel → don't raise knee gatch.

Russell → popliteal pulse → heel off bed → don't turn below waist → lift patient, not leg.

Skull tongs → cervical → NEVER lift weights → continuous traction → swallowing/suction concerns.

Balanced suspension → femur → Thomas splint + Pearson attachment.

Halo → cervical immobilization → skull pins → sterile pin care.

And above everything else:

Weights hang freely + ropes/pulleys aligned + continuous pull + countertraction + skin assessment + investigate complaints.

That is directly from the exact Kaplan Basics pages your instructor assigned, not generic traction information.

If you're studying for the whole Quiz 1, though, traction is only part of it—the syllabus also specifically assigns Kaplan Basics pp. 626–630. I can pull 626–630 next and combine it with this into one Quiz 1 cram sheet.