Question

A new EMT who is treating a suspected femur injury asks his partner, "How much traction should I pull?" The partner's BEST reply is which of the following?

A. The amount of traction applied should be roughly 10% of the patient's body weight and not exceed 15 pounds.
B. Pull enough traction to give the patient some relief from the pain.
C. The amount of traction applied should be 15 pounds.
D. No traction splint applied in the field pulls true traction; they must pull 20 pounds of countertraction.

Answer 1

When treating a femur injury, the amount of traction applied should be roughly 10% of the patient's body weight and not exceed 15 pounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

When treating a femur injury, the amount of traction applied should be roughly 10% of the patient's body weight and not exceed 15 pounds. This helps to align and stabilize the bone, reducing pain and preventing further damage. Pulling enough traction to give the patient relief from pain is not the best approach as it may not provide the necessary stability. Additionally, no traction splint applied in the field pulls true traction; they must pull 20 pounds of countertraction.