OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Cast Complications and Removal 3

Question 1

Compartment syndrome in a casted limb is BEST confirmed by:

Accepted Answer

Measurement of compartment pressure

Answer

Definitive diagnosis of compartment syndrome requires direct measurement of intracompartmental pressure, typically using a pressure monitor.

Question 2

A patient returns with a cast applied 5 days ago and the cast is now loose and poorly fitting. The most likely reason is:

Accepted Answer

Reduction in swelling since application

Answer

Post-injury edema typically resolves within days, causing the cast to become loose as the limb volume decreases.

Question 3

The 5 P's used to assess neurovascular status in a casted limb include pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and:

Accepted Answer

Paralysis

Answer

The classic 5 P's of neurovascular compromise are pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and paralysis (inability to move).

Question 4

Which instruction is MOST important to give a patient regarding cast hygiene?

Accepted Answer

Keep the cast dry at all times unless it is waterproof

Answer

Keeping a conventional plaster or fiberglass cast dry prevents cast softening, skin maceration, and infection.

Question 5

A patient with a thumb spica cast develops numbness and tingling in the thumb and index finger. This finding suggests compression of the:

Accepted Answer

Median nerve

Answer

The median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index, and middle fingers; compression under a thumb spica cast produces these symptoms.

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