Which sign indicates stopping traction-in-line?

• A. Crepitus
• B. Force
• C. Extreme Pain
• D. Temperature

Answer: (C)

When applying in-line traction for a suspected femur fracture, the key signal to stop is extreme pain that the patient cannot tolerate. If the pain becomes intolerable, continuing traction could worsen tissue damage, nerve or vessel compromise, or disrupt fracture alignment. At that point you should stop traction, reassess the limb, and switch to a comfortable splinting approach while monitoring for other signs of complications.

Crepitus can indicate a fracture is present, but it doesn’t tell you to stop traction. Temperature changes and the amount of force needed aren’t by themselves reliable stop signals; the patient’s pain level is the most direct cue that traction is causing harm and needs to be halted.