Musculoskeletal Injuries and Splinting Flashcards

A patient has an angulated forearm fracture with intact distal pulse, motor function, and sensation. The EMR should:

Answer: Splint the extremity in the position found

EMRs should splint extremity fractures in the position found when distal PMS is intact, as attempting realignment may cause further neurovascular injury.

A dislocation is best defined as:

Answer: Displacement of a bone end from its normal joint position

A dislocation occurs when the bone end is displaced from its normal anatomical position within the joint capsule.

Which joint is most commonly dislocated in the human body?

Answer: Shoulder

The shoulder (glenohumeral joint) is most frequently dislocated due to its extremely wide range of motion and relatively shallow socket.

An EMR should consider gentle realignment of an angulated extremity fracture when:

Answer: Distal pulse is absent and transport time is prolonged

Realignment may be attempted when there is an absent distal pulse because restoring circulation is critical to limb survival, especially with prolonged transport.

A patient with a splinted forearm reports pain that is out of proportion to the original injury, worsening with passive finger extension. The EMR should suspect:

Answer: Compartment syndrome

Pain out of proportion to the injury and pain with passive stretch are classic early warning signs of compartment syndrome, a limb-threatening emergency.

After splinting a lower leg fracture, the EMR should position the injured limb:

Answer: Elevated above the level of the heart when possible

Elevating an injured extremity above heart level reduces edema and pain by promoting venous and lymphatic drainage away from the injury.

A sprain is best defined as:

Answer: A stretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments at a joint caused by excessive stretching or tearing forces beyond their normal range.