A 15-year-old male's left leg is placed in skeletal traction. The primary purpose of this measure is to
Explanation
• Skeletal traction is used primarily to align the ends of the fractured bone.
• Skeletal traction involves the use of a pin or wire passed through the skin into the end of a long bone.
• With skeletal traction, ropes and pulleys are attached to weights to exert a pull on the extremity at the pin site. Cotton gauze squares are usually placed around the ends of the pins to protect and cushion the surrounding skin.
• Immobilization also prevents further trauma to tissue and will reduce pain.