Musculoskeletal Trauma Flashcards
6 cards from real ATLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Musculoskeletal Trauma flashcards as text
A patient presents with a deformed, swollen thigh after a motorcycle collision. Distal pulses are weak. What is the most important initial step?
Answer: Apply traction splinting and reassess neurovascular status
Femoral shaft fractures should be managed with traction splinting to reduce pain, control hemorrhage, and restore alignment.
Which fracture is most commonly associated with life-threatening hemorrhage?
Answer: Pelvic ring disruption
Pelvic ring disruptions can cause massive hemorrhage from the presacral venous plexus and internal iliac artery branches.
A patient with a tibial fracture develops severe pain disproportionate to injury, pain with passive toe extension, and a tense compartment. What is the diagnosis and treatment?
Answer: Acute compartment syndrome; emergent fasciotomy
Classic compartment syndrome presentation requires emergent fasciotomy within 6 hours.
What is the appropriate initial antibiotic for a Grade III open tibial fracture?
Answer: IV cefazolin plus an aminoglycoside
Grade III open fractures require cefazolin (gram-positive) plus aminoglycoside (gram-negative) coverage.
24 hours after femoral fixation, a patient develops sudden dyspnea, petechial rash on chest, and confusion. Most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Fat embolism syndrome
The triad of respiratory distress, petechial rash, and neurological changes 24-72 hours after long bone fracture is classic for fat embolism syndrome.
What is the most appropriate action for a traumatic finger amputation?
Answer: Wrap in saline-moistened gauze, seal in bag, place on ice
Wrap in moist gauze, sealed plastic bag, then on ice maintains viability without frostbite from direct ice contact.