Chapter 31 EMT

Which of the following musculoskeletal injuries would MOST likely result in deformity?

Displaced fracture

In which of the following situations should the EMT splint an injured limb in the position of deformity? A. When distal circulation and neurological functions are absent B. If transport time to the hospital is greater than 20 to 30 minutes C. If resistance is encountered or the patient experiences severe pain D. If a traction splint will be used to immobilize the injured extremity

If resistance is encountered or the patient experiences severe pain

Which of the following musculoskeletal injuries would pose the greatest threat to a patient's life? A. Nondisplaced long bone fractures B. Bilateral femur fractures C. Pelvic fracture with hypotension D. An amputated extremity

Pelvic fracture with hypotension

During your assessment of a 29-year-old female with significant deformity to her left elbow, you are unable to palpate a radial pulse. Your transport time to the hospital is approximately 40 minutes. You should:

apply gentle manual traction in line with the limb and reassess for a pulse.

The musculoskeletal system refers to the:

bones and voluntary muscles of the body.

When caring for a patient with a possible fracture of the scapula, the EMT should: A. apply rigid board splints across the chest and back. B. assume that minimal force was applied to the back. C. carefully assess the patient for breathing problems. D. recognize that scapular fractures are life threatening.

carefully assess the patient for breathing problems

A 54-year-old male accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning his gun. Your assessment reveals a small entrance wound to the medial aspect of his right leg. The exit wound is on the opposite side of the leg and is actively bleeding. The patient complains of numbness and tingling in his right foot. You should

control the bleeding and cover the wound with a sterile dressing.

A supracondylar or intercondylar fracture is also known as a fracture of the:

distal humerus.

Crepitus and false motion are:

positive indicators of a fracture.

A 22-year-old female was ejected from her car after striking a tree head-on. As you approach her, you note obvious closed deformities to both of her femurs. She is not moving and does not appear to be conscious. You should: A. administer oxygen and perform a rapid assessment. B. stabilize her head and perform a primary assessment. C. assess for a carotid pulse and assist her ventilations. D. apply manual stabilization to both of her femurs.

stabilize her head and perform a primary assessment.

During your secondary assessment of a 30-year-old male who fell 25 feet, you note crepitus when palpating his pelvis. Your partner advises you that the patient's blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak. After completing your assessment, you should: A. defer spinal immobilization and transport to a trauma center. B. perform a focused physical exam with emphasis on the pelvis. C. stabilize the pelvis with a pelvic binder and protect the spine. D. log roll the patient onto a long backboard and transport at once.

stabilize the pelvis with a pelvic binder and protect the spine.

Skeletal muscle is attached to the bone by tough, ropelike, fibrous structures called:

tendons.

Which of the following statements regarding compartment syndrome is correct?

Compartment syndrome typically develops within 6 to 12 hours after an injury.

With regard to musculoskeletal injuries, the zone of injury is defined as the: A. area of obvious deformity over the site of impact. B. exact part of the bone or joint that was disrupted. C. area of soft-tissue damage surrounding the injury. D. part of the body that sustained secondary injury.

area of soft-tissue damage surrounding the injury.

A fracture is MOST accurately defined as a(n): A. total loss of function in a bone. B. abnormality in the structure of a bone. C. disruption in the midshaft of a bone. D. break in the continuity of the bone.

break in the continuity of the bone

The MOST significant hazard associated with splinting is A. compression of nerves, tissues, and vasculature. B. aggravation of the injury or worsened pain. C. reduction in circulation distal to the injury site. D. delaying transport of a critically injured patient.

delaying transport of a critically injured patient.

A "hip" fracture is actually a fracture of the: A. proximal femur. B. pelvic girdle. C. femoral shaft. D. pubic symphysis.

proximal femur.

An open fracture is MOST accurately defined as a fracture in which: A. bone ends protrude through the skin. B. a bullet shatters the underlying bone. C. a large laceration overlies the fracture. D. the overlying skin is no longer intact.

the overlying skin is no longer intact.

In general, musculoskeletal injuries should be splinted before moving the patient unless:

the patient is clinically unstable.