A 5-year-old placed in traction after a fracture of the femur. The nurse plans care, knowing that which is the most appropriate activity for this child?

A 5-year-old placed in traction after a fracture of the femur. The nurse plans care, knowing that which is the most appropriate activity for this child?

• A. Crayons and a coloring book
• B. Video games
• C. Ball throwing games
• D. Loud musical toys

Answer: (A)

When a child is in traction for a femur fracture, the key goal is to keep the injured leg immobile and properly aligned to protect the traction and promote healing. Activities should be quiet and feasible without moving the injured limb. Crayons and a coloring book fit this perfectly for a 5-year-old: they’re developmentally appropriate, engaging, and focus on using the other hand and arms without requiring any movement of the leg. This helps the child stay occupied and comfortable while rest is preserved. Other options involve more physical activity or stimulation that could disrupt the traction or increase energy expenditure during a time when the limb needs to stay still. Video games might require sustained attention and sometimes hand movements, which can be workable in some contexts but aren’t as safe or restraint-friendly as a simple, quiet coloring activity. Ball throwing would involve leg and trunk movement that could risk loosening the traction, and loud musical toys can be overstimulating and disruptive to rest.

When a child is in traction for a femur fracture, the key goal is to keep the injured leg immobile and properly aligned to protect the traction and promote healing. Activities should be quiet and feasible without moving the injured limb. Crayons and a coloring book fit this perfectly for a 5-year-old: they’re developmentally appropriate, engaging, and focus on using the other hand and arms without requiring any movement of the leg. This helps the child stay occupied and comfortable while rest is preserved.

Other options involve more physical activity or stimulation that could disrupt the traction or increase energy expenditure during a time when the limb needs to stay still. Video games might require sustained attention and sometimes hand movements, which can be workable in some contexts but aren’t as safe or restraint-friendly as a simple, quiet coloring activity. Ball throwing would involve leg and trunk movement that could risk loosening the traction, and loud musical toys can be overstimulating and disruptive to rest.