First Aid Musculoskeletal Injury Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A weekend warrior complains of a 'pop' in the back of the lower leg during a sprint, followed by severe pain and difficulty walking. This classic presentation suggests:
- Achilles tendon rupture (Correct answer)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress fracture of the fibula
- Peroneal nerve injury
Correct answer: Achilles tendon rupture
A sudden 'pop' with immediate pain and inability to plantarflex the foot is the hallmark presentation of an Achilles tendon rupture.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the 'elevation' component in the PRICE protocol for a sprained ankle?
- To reduce swelling by encouraging fluid drainage away from the injury (Correct answer)
- To prevent blood clots from forming in the leg
- To reduce the patient's pain by changing their body position
- To keep the ankle immobile after bandaging
Correct answer: To reduce swelling by encouraging fluid drainage away from the injury
Elevating the injured limb above heart level uses gravity to drain excess interstitial fluid, reducing edema and swelling.
Question 3: A climber falls and dislocates their shoulder. They are 2 hours from a hospital. Under standard first aid guidelines, you should:
- Immobilize the arm in the position found and transport (Correct answer)
- Attempt to relocate the shoulder immediately
- Apply ice directly to the skin and encourage movement
- Have the patient slowly swing the arm to reduce the dislocation
Correct answer: Immobilize the arm in the position found and transport
Only trained medical personnel should attempt reduction; a first aider should immobilize the joint as found and arrange urgent transport.
Question 4: Which type of bone fracture is characterized by the bone being crushed into multiple fragments?
- Comminuted fracture (Correct answer)
- Greenstick fracture
- Spiral fracture
- Stress fracture
Correct answer: Comminuted fracture
A comminuted fracture occurs when high-energy forces crush a bone into three or more fragments.
Question 5: A patient with a suspected spinal injury from a diving accident is found face-down in shallow water. Your first priority is to:
- Rotate the patient face-up while maintaining inline spinal stabilization (Correct answer)
- Call for help without moving the patient
- Drag the patient out of the water as quickly as possible
- Begin rescue breathing with the patient face-down
Correct answer: Rotate the patient face-up while maintaining inline spinal stabilization
Airway and breathing take precedence; the patient must be log-rolled supine with spinal precautions to assess and manage the airway.
Question 6: For a suspected open (compound) fracture where bone is visible, which action is your immediate priority before splinting?
- Cover the wound with a sterile dressing without pushing bone back (Correct answer)
- Gently push the protruding bone back into place before splinting
- Irrigate the wound aggressively with water
- Apply a tourniquet above the wound as standard practice
Correct answer: Cover the wound with a sterile dressing without pushing bone back
Open fracture wounds are covered with sterile dressings to prevent contamination; protruding bone is never pushed back by a first responder.
Question 7: A 70-year-old woman trips and falls onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH). Which injury is most commonly associated with this mechanism in elderly patients?
- Colles' fracture of the distal radius (Correct answer)
- Clavicle fracture
- Shoulder dislocation
- Scaphoid fracture
Correct answer: Colles' fracture of the distal radius
A Colles' fracture (distal radius fracture with dorsal displacement) is the most common FOOSH injury in elderly patients with osteoporosis.
First Aid Musculoskeletal Injury Management 3
A weekend warrior complains of a 'pop' in the back of the lower leg during a sprint, followed by severe pain and difficulty walking.
This classic presentation suggests: