Saunders Musculoskeletal Practice Test

The outcome that indicates a client in traction is not achieving the planned goals is the occurrence of bowel movements every four days. This suggests that the client may be experiencing constipation or other gastrointestinal issues, which can be a common complication for those in traction due to immobility or changes in diet. In a well-managed traction scenario, patients should ideally maintain regular bowel function, and any significant deviation from this can signal that their overall health and recovery process are not progressing as intended.

In contrast, the other options—daily ambulation, decrease in pain, and improved muscle strength—represent positive indicators of recovery and effective traction treatment. Daily ambulation would show that the client is able to move and bear weight, indicating a level of recovery and mobility. A decrease in pain suggests that the traction is helping to alleviate discomfort associated with musculoskeletal issues, and improved muscle strength would reflect successful rehabilitation efforts and recovery. Therefore, regular bowel movements are crucial for overall well-being, and a significant delay or issue could indicate that the treatment is not meeting its goals.