Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries Flashcards
6 cards from real First Aid practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries flashcards as text
A person falls and their forearm is bent at an unnatural angle and swollen. They are in severe pain. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?
Answer: Immobilize the arm in the position it was found and call 911.
For a suspected severe fracture with deformity, the priority is to prevent further injury by immobilizing the limb as found. Moving or attempting to straighten the limb can damage nerves, blood vessels, and surrounding tissues. This type of injury requires immediate professional medical attention.
Which of the following is a key principle when applying a splint to a suspected fracture of the lower leg?
Answer: The splint should immobilize the joints both above and below the injury.
To effectively immobilize a fracture, the splint must prevent movement at the nearest joints. For a lower leg fracture, this means immobilizing both the ankle and the knee. This principle prevents the broken bone ends from moving and causing further damage.
Which of the following signs MOST clearly indicates a serious musculoskeletal injury that requires calling emergency medical services (911)?
Answer: A bone fragment protruding through the skin on the forearm.
A bone protruding through the skin is an open (or compound) fracture. This is a severe injury with a high risk of infection and bleeding, and it requires immediate professional medical care. The other options describe injuries that may need medical attention but are generally less critical than an open fracture.
A friend twists their ankle playing soccer. It is painful and starting to swell, but there is no obvious deformity or open wound. What is the most appropriate first aid using the RICE method?
Answer: Have them Rest, apply a Cold pack, use a bandage for Compression, and Elevate the ankle.
RICE is a standard first aid mnemonic for soft tissue injuries like sprains. It stands for Rest, Ice (or a cold pack), Compression, and Elevation. This combination helps to reduce swelling, manage pain, and prevent further injury.
When providing first aid for an open fracture with a protruding bone, what is the correct way to manage the wound before help arrives?
Answer: Cover the area with a loose, dry, sterile dressing and control bleeding by applying pressure around the wound.
For an open fracture, you should not attempt to push the bone back in or clean the wound, as this can cause further damage and introduce infection. The correct procedure is to control any severe bleeding by applying pressure around the injury (not on the bone itself) and cover the wound with a sterile dressing to minimize contamination.
A person has fallen on their outstretched hand and is complaining of severe pain and tenderness in their wrist. There is swelling but no obvious deformity. Which action is most appropriate?
Answer: Immobilize the wrist and hand with a splint and suggest they see a healthcare provider.
It is difficult for a first aider to distinguish between a sprain and a closed fracture without an X-ray. Therefore, if a fracture is suspected, the injury should be treated as such. The appropriate action is to immobilize the limb to prevent further injury and advise the person to seek a medical evaluation.