OEC Musculoskeletal Injuries & Splinting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A traction splint is most specifically indicated for which injury?
- Displaced mid-shaft clavicle fracture
- Closed mid-shaft femur fracture (Correct answer)
- Posterior hip dislocation
- Open tibia-fibula fracture with vascular compromise
Correct answer: Closed mid-shaft femur fracture
Traction splints are designed for mid-shaft femur fractures to counteract powerful thigh muscle spasm, reduce blood loss, and relieve pain through sustained longitudinal traction.
Question 2: A patient twisted their ankle and immediately heard a 'pop,' followed by rapid swelling and inability to bear weight. The most likely injury is:
- Grade I ankle sprain
- Grade III ankle sprain or ligament rupture (Correct answer)
- Talar stress fracture
- Achilles tendon contusion
Correct answer: Grade III ankle sprain or ligament rupture
An audible pop, immediate significant swelling, and inability to bear weight are hallmarks of a Grade III (complete) ligament tear or severe sprain.
Question 3: Compartment syndrome should be suspected when a patient reports pain that is:
- Relieved by elevating the extremity above heart level
- Proportionate to the visible injury and improves with ice
- Out of proportion to the injury and worsened with passive stretch (Correct answer)
- Located only at the fracture site and reproducible with palpation
Correct answer: Out of proportion to the injury and worsened with passive stretch
Pain disproportionate to the injury severity and dramatically increased with passive stretching of muscles in the affected compartment is the hallmark of developing compartment syndrome.
Question 4: After reducing a suspected anterior shoulder dislocation is beyond OEC scope, how should OEC Technicians manage the injury in the field?
- Attempt a Cunningham technique reduction immediately
- Immobilize in the position of comfort using a sling and swathe (Correct answer)
- Strap the arm behind the back to prevent further dislocation
- Apply a rigid posterior splint with the elbow extended
Correct answer: Immobilize in the position of comfort using a sling and swathe
OEC Technicians do not reduce joint dislocations; the correct field management is to immobilize the shoulder in the position of comfort with a sling and swathe and transport.
Question 5: Which finding after splint application requires the OEC Technician to immediately loosen or reapply the splint?
- Mild discomfort at the injury site
- Absent distal pulse or numbness distal to the splint (Correct answer)
- Patient reporting the splint feels 'a little tight'
- Mild swelling above the splint margin
Correct answer: Absent distal pulse or numbness distal to the splint
Absent distal pulse or new numbness indicates the splint is compressing neurovascular structures and must be loosened immediately to restore perfusion.
Question 6: What is the recommended field management for a suspected pelvic fracture in an outdoor emergency setting?
- Apply a femur traction splint bilaterally
- Log-roll the patient frequently to assess the pelvis
- Apply a pelvic binder or improvised circumferential wrap and minimize movement (Correct answer)
- Elevate both legs to 45 degrees to reduce internal hemorrhage
Correct answer: Apply a pelvic binder or improvised circumferential wrap and minimize movement
A pelvic binder or improvised circumferential sheet wrap helps stabilize pelvic ring fractures, reduce internal hemorrhage volume, and minimize movement during transport.
Question 7: The 'RICE' acronym used for managing soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries stands for:
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (Correct answer)
- Realign, Immobilize, Cover, Evaluate
- Reduce, Immobilize, Circulation-check, Elevate
- Rest, Irrigate, Cover, Evaluate
Correct answer: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation — is the standard initial treatment protocol for sprains, strains, and minor soft tissue musculoskeletal injuries.
OEC Musculoskeletal Injuries & Splinting 2
A traction splint is most specifically indicated for which injury?