Final answer:
In pin site care for skeletal traction, a nurse typically should find pin sites that are stable and not showing signs of infection. Clear drainage may occur, but redness, swelling, and purulent drainage are indicative of potential complications that require attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is performing pin site care on a client in skeletal traction, the nurse would expect to note that the pin sites are without infection or complications.
This means that they should not
be loose (a), should not have purulent drainage (c), and should not be exhibiting excessive redness and swelling (d). A small amount of clear drainage (b) from the pin sites can be normal. However, consistent observation and care are critical to ensure that the sites are healing properly and to detect any signs of infection early.
Redness, warmth, swelling, or purulent drainage at the pin sites could indicate an infection which needs immediate medical attention.
Practices observed in other clinical scenarios, such as when dealing with infections from cuts, abrasions, or surgical sites (like a central venous catheter insertion), also reiterate the importance of monitoring for infection symptoms, as these can result in serious complications if left untreated.