Skull/Halo Traction Flashcards
(23 cards)
Skull tongs do what
Immobilizes/stabilizes c-spine
2 insertion sites
attached to bed-immobile
3 contraindications for skull tongs
Local sepsis - scalp/head infection
Children - nature of device/confined to bed/immobilized
Skull fracture - skull instability can be worsened
Halo traction
Immobilize c spine to allow for healing
Halo how many pins
6 - drilled into the skull - holds halo around head
Should we take vest off with halo
No
Pin care with halo device - how often
Pin cleaning every 24-hours
which portion of the halo keeps the head/neck immobilized
halo and rods
is an mri contraindicated with halo devices
yes
when would be the only time we would remove the vest in a halo device
for CPR
how would you remove vest
with a wrench - keep at bedside
the only component of the halo device that can be removed
the lining under the vest (front and back)
care of halo device
check skin integrity - breakdown
check pin sites (no s/s of infection or mobility)
pain after the first 48 hours in indicative of what
infection at the pin site
primary responsibility of nurse w/halo
pin care
pin care of the halo device consists of
equal part saline/hydrogen peroxide mixture (good for only 24 hours)
6 q-tips (inward to outward)
blue pad on shoulders to ensure dryness
s/s of infection with halo device
redness purulent drainage pain tenderness/site fever 101 or> chills Call Dr with these signs of infection
prophylactic antibiotics are ordered to prevent infection with halos t or f
false -
can a pt wash their hair with a halo device
yes w/assistance
can a pt drive w/halo device
no cant turn side to side
should a pt increase fiber into their diet with halo device
yes - less mobile
when to call Dr with halo device
excessive pain at pin sites
moves head up,down,side-side
how long will pt wear halo device
8-16 weeks
getting up w/halo device
roll onto side at edge of bed
drop legs off side of bed
push elbow/hand at same time
do NOT sit up straight by bending at waist
