First Aid for Fractures

23 Questions

What is the main goal of first aid in case of a fracture?

To prevent excessive movement of the fracture

What is a characteristic of a complicated fracture?

It requires urgent specialist medical treatment

What is a common symptom of a fracture?

Loss of movement

Why are open fractures more dangerous than closed fractures?

Because they have a higher risk of severe bleeding and infection

What happens to the muscles around a fracture after an injury?

They go into spasm

Why may an open fracture go unnoticed?

Because the bone may not always be visible in the wound

What should be assumed about any wound overlying a fracture until proven otherwise?

It is an open fracture

What is the primary concern when treating a suspected dislocation?

Treating the injury as a fracture

What is the first step in treating a fracture?

Treat any severe bleeding

What is a common symptom of a sprain?

Tenderness at the injury site

What is the purpose of padding around the injury in treating a dislocated joint?

To protect the surrounding area from further injury

What is the primary difference between a sprain and a strain?

Type of tissue damaged

What is the primary advantage of using a pillow splint?

It provides a comfortable and cushioned support for the injured limb

What should be done when uncertain whether an injury is a strain, sprain, or fracture?

Treat it as a fracture

What is the most common material used for makeshift splints?

Cardboard

What is a dislocation?

A bone no longer in proper contact at a joint

What should be done immediately after a dislocated joint is suspected?

Support the limb in the position found

What is the primary purpose of checking for signs of circulation beyond the injury?

To ensure the injured limb is receiving proper blood flow

What is the primary purpose of anatomical splints?

To immobilize a fractured bone by securing it to an adjacent un-fractured bone

What is the main advantage of splinting an injury in the position that you find it?

It prevents further injury or damage

What should be checked after splinting an injury?

Proper circulation (warmth, feeling, and color)

What is the purpose of immobilizing the area above and below the injury site?

To prevent further injury or damage

What is a common method of splinting using a blanket?

Tying blankets at intervals from midthigh to feet

Study Notes

Dislocations

A dislocation is an injury to the ligaments around a joint that permits a separation of the bone from its normal position in a joint.
Most frequently dislocated joints include the shoulder, elbow, thumb, finger, jaw, and knee.
Signs of a dislocation are similar to those of a fracture, so a suspected dislocation should be treated like a fracture.

First Aid Treatment for a Dislocated Joint

Support the limb in the position found; do not attempt to reduce the dislocation.
Apply padding around the injury.
Check for signs of circulation beyond the injury.
If the victim has dislocated their shoulder, elbow, or wrist, an arm sling may be useful to support the injury.
Seek medical assistance or call 123.

Splinting

Splinting is the most common procedure for immobilizing an injury.
Materials used for splinting include cardboard, towels, blankets, pillows, and rigid materials.
Types of splints include cardboard splints, towel splints, pillow splints, and rigid splints.

Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone caused by excessive force.
Closed fractures are breaks in bones with no associated wound; most fractures are closed.
Signs and symptoms of a fracture include pain, loss of movement, angulation, swelling, tenderness, irregularity, and crepitus.
Complicated fractures occur when the broken bone damages blood vessels or nerves near the fracture site.

First Aid Treatment for a Fracture

Treat any severe bleeding.
Stabilize the injury to prevent movement of the fracture.
If the fracture is open, apply a sterile dressing over the wound to reduce the risk of infection.
Check for signs of circulation beyond the fracture.
Monitor the victim for shock and record vital signs.
Seek medical assistance or call 123.

Strains and Sprains

A strain involves a stretching and/or tearing of muscles or tendons.
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which can be classified as 1st degree (stretched), 2nd degree (partially torn), or 3rd degree (completely torn).
Signs and symptoms of a sprain include pain, loss of function, swelling and/or bruising, restricted use, and tenderness at the injury site.
Strains and sprains often involve the muscles in the neck, back, thigh, or calf, and may be difficult to distinguish from each other or from fractures.

General Guidelines for Splinting

Support the injured area above and below the site of the injury, including the joints.
If possible, splint the injury in the position that you find it.
Don't try to realign bones or joints.
After splinting, check for proper circulation (warmth, feeling, and color).
Immobilize above and below the injury.

Learn about the basics of first aid for fractures, including closed fractures, and how to prevent excessive movement and reduce pain and internal bleeding.

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