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Referencing the content of EMT-Basic training and emergency patient care

EMT Basic · Chapter 32

Orthopaedic Injuries

Learning objectives (11)

  1. Demonstrate how to care for a patient with an amputation — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1146); confirm wording in your course copy.
  2. Describe the different types of musculoskeletal injuries, including fractures, dislocations, amputations, sprains, and strains — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  3. Describe the emergency medical care of the patient with a swollen, painful, deformed extremity (fracture) — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  4. Describe the emergency medical care of the patient with an amputation — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  5. Describe the emergency medical care of the patient with an orthopaedic injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  6. Differentiate between open and closed fractures — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  7. Discuss the need for, general rules of, and possible complications of splinting — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  8. Explain how to assess the severity of an injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  9. Explain the reasons for splinting fractures, dislocations, and sprains at the scene versus transporting the patient immediately — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  10. Name the four mechanisms of injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.
  11. Recognize the characteristics of specific types of musculoskeletal injuries — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1145); confirm wording in your course copy.

Vocabulary (13)

Fracture
A break in the continuity of a bone, ranging from a hairline crack to a complete separation of bone segments.
Open (compound) fracture
A fracture in which broken bone has penetrated the skin or in which a wound communicates with the fracture site, raising infection risk.
Closed (simple) fracture
A fracture in which the overlying skin remains intact.
Dislocation
The displacement of a bone from its normal position in a joint.
Subluxation
A partial dislocation of a joint, in which the bones are misaligned but still partly in contact.
Sprain
A stretching or tearing of a ligament — the tough fibrous tissue connecting bones at a joint.
Strain
A stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon — the tissue connecting muscle to bone.
Splint
A rigid or semi-rigid device used to immobilize an injured body part to reduce pain and prevent further damage.
Traction splint
A splint that applies a steady pulling force to align a closed mid-shaft femur fracture, reduce pain, and limit further injury.
Compartment syndrome
A dangerous buildup of pressure within an enclosed muscle compartment that compromises blood flow and can cause tissue death.
Distal PMS
A neurovascular check distal to an injury or splint — assessing Pulse, Motor function, and Sensation — to confirm intact circulation and nerves.
Crepitus
A grating sensation or sound produced by broken bone ends rubbing together, by air in soft tissues, or by roughened joint surfaces.
RICE
First-aid mnemonic for an acute musculoskeletal injury — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

Sequence practice (2 puzzles on Quiz Me)

Splinting an extremity injury

Order the general splinting sequence.

  1. Assess and document distal pulse, motor, and sensation (PMS)
  2. Expose and cover any open wounds with a sterile dressing
  3. Pad the rigid splint to fit the limb's natural contours
  4. Immobilize the joint above and the joint below the injury
  5. Reassess distal PMS after the splint is secured
RICE for an acute strain or sprain

Order the initial care for an acute soft-tissue musculoskeletal injury.

  1. R — Rest the injured part
  2. I — Ice applied through a barrier (not directly to skin)
  3. C — Compress with an elastic bandage if appropriate
  4. E — Elevate the limb above the level of the heart

Quick fire sample (13 of 13 on Quiz Me)

A break in the continuity of a bone, ranging from a hairline crack to a complete separation of bone segments.
  1. Compartment syndrome
  2. Dislocation
  3. Sprain
  4. Fracture
A fracture in which broken bone has penetrated the skin or in which a wound communicates with the fracture site, raising infection risk.
  1. RICE
  2. Compartment syndrome
  3. Open (compound) fracture
  4. Strain
A fracture in which the overlying skin remains intact.
  1. Open (compound) fracture
  2. Fracture
  3. Compartment syndrome
  4. Closed (simple) fracture
The displacement of a bone from its normal position in a joint.
  1. Crepitus
  2. Sprain
  3. Fracture
  4. Dislocation
A partial dislocation of a joint, in which the bones are misaligned but still partly in contact.
  1. Crepitus
  2. Subluxation
  3. Fracture
  4. Open (compound) fracture
A stretching or tearing of a ligament — the tough fibrous tissue connecting bones at a joint.
  1. Sprain
  2. Distal PMS
  3. Fracture
  4. RICE
A stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon — the tissue connecting muscle to bone.
  1. Crepitus
  2. Compartment syndrome
  3. Closed (simple) fracture
  4. Strain
A rigid or semi-rigid device used to immobilize an injured body part to reduce pain and prevent further damage.
  1. Closed (simple) fracture
  2. Splint
  3. Compartment syndrome
  4. Sprain
A splint that applies a steady pulling force to align a closed mid-shaft femur fracture, reduce pain, and limit further injury.
  1. Closed (simple) fracture
  2. Strain
  3. Distal PMS
  4. Traction splint
A dangerous buildup of pressure within an enclosed muscle compartment that compromises blood flow and can cause tissue death.
  1. Dislocation
  2. Compartment syndrome
  3. RICE
  4. Subluxation
A neurovascular check distal to an injury or splint — assessing Pulse, Motor function, and Sensation — to confirm intact circulation and nerves.
  1. Distal PMS
  2. Open (compound) fracture
  3. RICE
  4. Sprain
A grating sensation or sound produced by broken bone ends rubbing together, by air in soft tissues, or by roughened joint surfaces.
  1. Distal PMS
  2. Compartment syndrome
  3. Dislocation
  4. Crepitus
First-aid mnemonic for an acute musculoskeletal injury — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
  1. Sprain
  2. RICE
  3. Distal PMS
  4. Dislocation

Some topics in this course differ across field references. See when sources disagree on Quiz Me before you teach from this sheet alone.

Full scored drills are on Quiz Me at /courses/nm-emt-b/chapters/32/print/. Answers are not marked on this sheet.