First Aid Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A hiker falls and reports pain and swelling at the ankle but can still bear some weight. What should you suspect?
- Complete fracture
- Sprain (Correct answer)
- Dislocation
- Compartment syndrome
Correct answer: Sprain
A sprain (ligament tear) often allows partial weight bearing and presents with pain and swelling around a joint.
Question 2: When splinting a suspected forearm fracture, the splint should immobilize:
- Only the fracture site
- The wrist joint only
- The joint above and below the fracture (Correct answer)
- The elbow and shoulder
Correct answer: The joint above and below the fracture
Proper splinting requires immobilizing the joints above and below the fracture to prevent movement at the injury site.
Question 3: A child falls off a bike and you suspect a collarbone (clavicle) fracture. The best first aid position is:
- Lay them flat on their back
- Support the arm on the injured side with a sling (Correct answer)
- Elevate both arms overhead
- Apply a tight bandage around the chest
Correct answer: Support the arm on the injured side with a sling
A sling supports the weight of the arm and reduces stress on the fractured clavicle.
Question 4: What is the primary danger of an open (compound) fracture compared to a closed fracture?
- Greater pain severity
- Risk of infection (Correct answer)
- Faster healing time
- Less blood loss
Correct answer: Risk of infection
An open fracture breaks through the skin, creating a direct pathway for bacteria to enter and cause serious infection.
Question 5: You suspect someone has dislocated their shoulder. You should:
- Attempt to pop the joint back into place immediately
- Apply heat and massage the area
- Immobilize in the position found and seek emergency care (Correct answer)
- Have them rotate the arm to test range of motion
Correct answer: Immobilize in the position found and seek emergency care
Attempting to reduce a dislocation without training can cause further damage to nerves and blood vessels; immobilize and transport.
Question 6: A runner complains of sudden, severe calf pain and cannot plantarflex the foot. This most likely indicates:
- Shin splints
- Achilles tendon rupture (Correct answer)
- Stress fracture of the tibia
- Deep vein thrombosis
Correct answer: Achilles tendon rupture
A sudden snap with inability to plantarflex and severe calf pain are classic signs of Achilles tendon rupture.
Question 7: During ice application for a musculoskeletal injury, you should:
- Apply ice directly to bare skin for maximum effect
- Limit application to 20 minutes at a time (Correct answer)
- Keep ice on continuously for the first 24 hours
- Use ice only after the first 48 hours
Correct answer: Limit application to 20 minutes at a time
Ice should be applied for no more than 20 minutes at a time to prevent frostbite and allow tissue recovery.
First Aid Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries 2
A hiker falls and reports pain and swelling at the ankle but can still bear some weight.
What should you suspect?