First Take Care of the Client, Then the Equipment

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The NCLEX-PN^® exam tests your ability to use critical thinking skills to make nursing judgments. It is very important that you remember to:

• Take care of the client first.
• Take care of the equipment second.

Look at the following question.

1. A client sustains a fractured left femur in a car accident. She is placed in balanced-suspension skeletal traction using a Thomas splint and a Pearson attachment. The client tells the LPN/LVN that she has “terrible” pain in her left thigh. Which of the following should the LPN/LVN do FIRST?
   1. Determine that all the weights and ropes from the traction apparatus are in line and hanging free.
   2. Ask the client for more information about the location and characteristics of her pain.
   3. Check the Thomas splint and Pearson attachment to make sure they are properly positioned.
   4. Explain to the client that the pain she is experiencing in the affected leg is a common occurrence.

Let’s review the answers:

1. All weights should be hanging free in balanced-suspension skeletal traction. This answer choice has you checking the equipment, not the client. Your first concern should be the client, not the traction.
2. The LPN/LVN should focus on assessing the client and her problem before assessing the function of the equipment. All reports of pain should be thoroughly investigated by the LPN/LVN.
3. This answer choice has you checking the equipment, not the client. Your first concern should be the client, not the traction.
4. Any reports of pain are considered abnormal and should be thoroughly investigated by the LPN/LVN.

The correct answer is (2).