OCC OCC Cast Removal & Bivalving 2

Question 1

Before cast removal, what should the technician tell the patient to reduce anxiety about the saw?

Accepted Answer

The saw vibrates but will not cut skin if used correctly

Answer

The saw is completely painless and silent

Answer

The process takes only a few seconds

Answer

The patient should not look at the saw at any time

Question 2

During cast removal, the skin under a long-standing plaster cast is commonly found to be:

Accepted Answer

Dry, flaky, and possibly malodorous

Answer

Infected in most cases

Answer

Deeply pigmented

Answer

Thickened from pressure

Question 3

Which protective technique is used over bony prominences when running the cast saw?

Accepted Answer

Slide a cast spreader or tongue depressor between the blade and the skin

Answer

Apply extra stockinette over the prominence

Answer

Mark the area and skip it with the saw

Answer

Slow the saw speed to minimum

Question 4

After both medial and lateral cuts are made during bivalving, which instrument is used to separate the cast halves?

Accepted Answer

Cast spreader

Answer

Bandage scissors

Answer

Hemostat

Answer

Kelly forceps

Question 5

Heat generated by the oscillating saw can cause skin burns. This risk is BEST reduced by:

Accepted Answer

Using a plunging motion and limiting contact time at each point

Answer

Cooling the blade with water during cutting

Answer

Pressing firmly to cut faster

Answer

Using a lower-frequency saw setting

Question 6

Which cast material requires the MOST caution during saw removal due to increased heat generation?

Accepted Answer

Fiberglass

Answer

Plaster of Paris

Answer

Thermoplastic

Answer

Cotton-based splint material