AEMCA Practice Exam

For a 64 kg patient with a single femur fracture, how much traction should be applied using a SAGAR?

1. 10

2. 12

3. 14

4. 16

The correct answer is: 14

The application of traction using a SAGAR (Skeletal Anterior and Gravitational Accessory Resistance) device is determined based on the patient's weight and the specific requirements for effective alignment and stabilization of the fracture. In this case, the general principle for calculating traction is to apply approximately 10% of the patient's body weight. For a 64 kg patient, this calculation would yield: - 10% of 64 kg equals around 6.4 kg of traction, which is typically inadequate for managing a femur fracture effectively. However, clinical practice often requires adjusting this traction force to ensure proper alignment and pain management, leading us to a common guideline of recommending traction amounts that can be slightly higher than the 10% rule. In this scenario, applying 14 kg of traction is more appropriate. This amount allows for sufficient force to help reduce and stabilize the femur fracture, providing the necessary support for healing while ensuring the patient remains comfortable. Thus, choosing 14 kg ensures that the traction is effective for this kind of injury, meeting both clinical standards and practical experience in the treatment of femur fractures.