Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the defining characteristic of a closed fracture?
What is the defining characteristic of a closed fracture?
- The bone is completely displaced from the joint
- The skin is intact (correct)
- It results from injuries away from the affected joint
- There is a break in the overlying skin
Which type of injury often leads to elbow dislocation?
Which type of injury often leads to elbow dislocation?
- Injuries directly to the joint
- Falling on an outstretched hand (correct)
- Fractures involving the elbow
- Dislocations of other joints
What is a sprain?
What is a sprain?
- An injury that results from twisting of bones
- A partial disruption of a ligament or joint capsule (correct)
- A complete displacement of the bone from the joint
- A break in the overlying skin
What is the immediate management step recommended for a simple fracture of limbs?
What is the immediate management step recommended for a simple fracture of limbs?
What should be done to immobilize an affected area in case of a simple fracture?
What should be done to immobilize an affected area in case of a simple fracture?
What is the primary purpose of splinting the site of a fracture or dislocation?
What is the primary purpose of splinting the site of a fracture or dislocation?
In cases of severe pain unrelieved by splinting and elevation, what medical condition should be considered?
In cases of severe pain unrelieved by splinting and elevation, what medical condition should be considered?
What is the recommended drug for severe pain if the patient is not allergic?
What is the recommended drug for severe pain if the patient is not allergic?
What should be done if an injury is causing severe pain and there is doubt over its nature?
What should be done if an injury is causing severe pain and there is doubt over its nature?
What action should a Rural and Isolated Practice Registered Nurse take regarding drug therapy for a patient?
What action should a Rural and Isolated Practice Registered Nurse take regarding drug therapy for a patient?
Study Notes
Fractures and Dislocations
- Fractures can occur due to direct or indirect injury, such as twisting or violence to bones.
- Clinically, fractures can be either closed (skin intact) or compound (break in the overlying skin).
Dislocation
- Dislocation is a complete displacement of a bone from the joint.
- It often results from injuries away from the affected joint, such as elbow dislocation after falling on an outstretched hand.
Sprains
- A sprain is a partial disruption of a ligament or capsule of a joint.
Immediate Management of Fractures
- Halt any external hemorrhage by pressure bandage or direct pressure.
- Immobilize the affected area.
- Provide pain relief.
Clinical Assessment
- Obtain complete patient history, including circumstances and method of injury.
- Enquire about anticoagulant use, such as warfarin.
- Perform standard clinical observations.
- Examine and record:
- Color, warmth, movement, and sensation in hands and feet of injured limb(s)
- Any wounds or swelling
- Color of the whole limb (especially paleness or blue color)
- The skin over the fracture
- Range of movement and joint function above and below the injury site
- Check whether the limb is out of shape, warm, swollen, throbbing, or getting bigger
- Peripheral pulses are palpable
Management of Fractures
- Splint the site of the fracture/dislocation using a plaster back slab to reduce pain.
- Elevate the limb (sling for arm injuries, pillow for leg injuries).
- If in doubt over an injury, treat it as a fracture.
- Administer analgesia to patients in severe pain, preferably morphine or fentanyl if allergic.
- Consider compartment syndrome where pain is severe and unrelieved by splinting and elevation or two doses of analgesia.
Drug Therapy Protocol
- Authorized Indigenous Health Worker (IHW) must consult a Medical Officer (MO) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) for drug therapy.
- Scheduled Medicines Rural and isolated Practice Registered Nurse may proceed.
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Description
Test your knowledge on fractures, dislocations, and sprains in the context of bone injuries. Learn about the differences between closed and compound fractures, dislocations, and sprains. Identify common causes and clinical presentations of these injuries.
