OFA OFA Musculoskeletal Injuries & Fracture Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended first action when a worker dislocates their shoulder on the job?
- Attempt to manually relocate the shoulder immediately
- Immobilize the arm in the position found and arrange transport to medical care (Correct answer)
- Apply ice and send the worker home
- Have the worker perform arm circles to reduce the dislocation
Correct answer: Immobilize the arm in the position found and arrange transport to medical care
OFA responders should NOT attempt to relocate a dislocation; instead, immobilize in the position found and transport for medical care.
Question 2: The acronym RICE stands for which set of musculoskeletal injury management steps?
- Rest, Ice, Circulation, Elevation
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (Correct answer)
- Reduce, Immobilize, Compress, Elevate
- Reassess, Irrigate, Compress, Elevate
Correct answer: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation — is the standard first aid protocol for soft tissue musculoskeletal injuries.
Question 3: A worker has a suspected pelvic fracture after being struck by a forklift. What is the priority concern?
- Applying a rigid splint around the hips
- Risk of life-threatening internal hemorrhage (Correct answer)
- Immobilizing both legs in an elevated position
- Applying direct pressure to the pelvis
Correct answer: Risk of life-threatening internal hemorrhage
Pelvic fractures carry a high risk of massive internal bleeding and are considered a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent EMS transport.
Question 4: When splinting a lower leg fracture, where should the padding be concentrated?
- Only at the fracture site
- At bony prominences and under the joints (Correct answer)
- Only above the knee
- Evenly distributed with no extra padding anywhere
Correct answer: At bony prominences and under the joints
Padding should be placed at bony prominences and under the joints to prevent pressure sores and ensure comfort during transport.
Question 5: What indicates that a splint is too tight after application?
- Patient reports mild discomfort at the fracture site
- Fingers or toes become pale, cold, or numb distal to the splint (Correct answer)
- Patient is able to feel light touch beyond the splint
- Patient reports the splint feels secure
Correct answer: Fingers or toes become pale, cold, or numb distal to the splint
Pallor, coldness, or numbness distal to a splint indicates compromised circulation and requires immediate loosening.
Question 6: A worker is found with a deformed knee joint after a workplace fall. The OFA responder should:
- Straighten the knee before splinting to make transport easier
- Splint the knee in the position found if there is no circulation compromise (Correct answer)
- Have the worker walk on it to assess weight-bearing ability
- Apply compression bandage tightly around the knee
Correct answer: Splint the knee in the position found if there is no circulation compromise
Dislocated or deformed joints should be splinted in the position found unless circulation is severely compromised.
OFA OFA Musculoskeletal Injuries & Fracture Management 2
What is the recommended first action when a worker dislocates their shoulder on the job?