First Aid Musculoskeletal Injury Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A runner experiences sudden, severe cramping in the calf during a race. After stretching fails to relieve it, the muscle feels rock-hard. What is the most appropriate first aid?
- Gentle passive stretching, massage, and oral hydration (Correct answer)
- Apply heat immediately and encourage vigorous activity
- Apply a tight compression bandage and elevate the leg
- Immobilize the limb and transport to the emergency room
Correct answer: Gentle passive stretching, massage, and oral hydration
Muscle cramps are treated with gentle stretching to lengthen the muscle, massage to promote circulation, and fluids to correct electrolyte imbalance.
Question 2: Which sign best differentiates a Grade III (complete) ligament tear from a Grade I (mild) sprain?
- Marked joint instability and loss of function (Correct answer)
- Significant pain with palpation
- Immediate bruising around the joint
- Swelling that develops within minutes
Correct answer: Marked joint instability and loss of function
A Grade III sprain involves complete ligament rupture, causing joint instability and inability to bear weight, unlike the partial tears of Grades I and II.
Question 3: You are improvising a splint for a suspected tibia fracture in the wilderness. The best improvised materials to use would be:
- Rigid sticks padded with clothing, secured above and below the fracture (Correct answer)
- Two belts tightly wrapped directly around the fracture site
- Duct tape wrapped firmly around the bare skin
- Soft foam padding alone without any rigid support
Correct answer: Rigid sticks padded with clothing, secured above and below the fracture
An effective improvised splint requires a rigid component for stability and soft padding to protect skin and neurovascular structures.
Question 4: A patient has a suspected hip fracture after a fall. Their injured leg appears shortened and externally rotated. You should:
- Keep the patient still, pad for comfort, and wait for EMS (Correct answer)
- Straighten the leg to a neutral position before transport
- Apply traction to correct the shortening
- Have the patient attempt to stand to assess weight-bearing ability
Correct answer: Keep the patient still, pad for comfort, and wait for EMS
Hip fracture patients should not be moved unnecessarily; the limb is immobilized in the position found with padding, and EMS transport is required.
Question 5: What is compartment syndrome, and when should a first aider suspect it after a musculoskeletal injury?
- Dangerous pressure buildup in a muscle compartment, suspected when pain is disproportionate and worsens with passive stretch (Correct answer)
- A blood clot forming in the injured limb, suspected when swelling is asymmetrical
- A nerve injury causing numbness, suspected when the patient reports tingling
- Bone marrow leaking into surrounding tissue, suspected after high-energy fractures only
Correct answer: Dangerous pressure buildup in a muscle compartment, suspected when pain is disproportionate and worsens with passive stretch
Compartment syndrome causes ischemia from rising intracompartmental pressure; the key early sign is pain far exceeding what the injury appears to warrant, especially with passive movement.
Question 6: An ice pack should never be applied directly to bare skin because:
- It can cause frostbite and cold-induced skin injury (Correct answer)
- It reduces the effectiveness of the ice treatment
- It increases swelling by triggering an inflammatory response
- It causes the underlying blood vessels to dilate
Correct answer: It can cause frostbite and cold-induced skin injury
Direct ice contact can freeze superficial skin cells, causing frostbite; always wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel.
Question 7: A patient sprains their wrist and asks if they should take anti-inflammatory medication. As a first aider, the appropriate response is to:
- Advise them to follow standard first aid, and consult a pharmacist or doctor regarding medication (Correct answer)
- Recommend a specific NSAID dose based on their body weight
- Tell them anti-inflammatories will delay healing and should be avoided
- Administer medication from your first aid kit if available
Correct answer: Advise them to follow standard first aid, and consult a pharmacist or doctor regarding medication
First aiders are not licensed to prescribe or administer medications; they should refer medication questions to qualified healthcare professionals.
First Aid Musculoskeletal Injury Management 4
A runner experiences sudden, severe cramping in the calf during a race.
After stretching fails to relieve it, the muscle feels rock-hard.
What is the most appropriate first aid?