A nurse is caring for a pediatric patient in skeletal traction for a femur fracture. Which nursing action is the highest priority to prevent complications associated with skeletal traction?

Ensure the weights hang freely and do not touch the floor to maintain proper traction force.

Remove the traction weights every 6 hours to prevent skin breakdown,

Limit monitoring of pin sites to once every 24 hours to reduce patient discomfort.

Place the rope knot in contact with the pulley to stabilize the traction system.