Musculoskeletal Injuries & Splinting Flashcards
7 cards from real OEC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Musculoskeletal Injuries & Splinting flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of splinting a fracture in outdoor emergency care?
Answer: Immobilize the injury to prevent further damage and reduce pain
Splinting immobilizes the injured area to prevent further bone, vessel, and nerve damage while reducing pain and facilitating safe transport.
Which of the following is NOT a classic sign or symptom associated with a fracture?
Answer: Increased capillary refill time at the injury site only
Capillary refill time is assessed distally to check circulation but is not itself a classic fracture sign; point tenderness, crepitus, and deformity are hallmark findings.
What does performing a distal CSM check evaluate after applying a splint?
Answer: Circulation, Sensation, and Movement
CSM stands for Circulation, Sensation, and Movement — the three assessments performed distal to a splint to detect neurovascular compromise.
Under what circumstance is straightening an angulated extremity fracture appropriate in OEC practice?
Answer: When the distal pulse is absent or CSM is compromised
OEC protocols allow gentle traction and realignment of an angulated fracture when distal circulation, sensation, or movement is compromised to restore perfusion.
What is the most critical first step in managing an open (compound) fracture?
Answer: Control bleeding and cover the wound with a sterile dressing
Controlling hemorrhage and covering the open wound with a sterile dressing prevents contamination and further blood loss before splinting.
Which type of splint uses an uninjured adjacent body part to support and immobilize the injured one?
Answer: Anatomic splint
An anatomic splint ties the injured part to an adjacent uninjured body part, such as taping injured fingers together or binding an injured leg to the uninjured leg.
When applying a splint, padding should be placed primarily to:
Answer: Fill voids and protect bony prominences from pressure injuries
Padding fills natural voids and cushions bony prominences to prevent pressure sores and discomfort without compromising neurovascular status.
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