Question

When is a painful, swollen, deformed extremity considered to be a high-priority injury?

1) The injury involves the hip
2) There is a loss of distal pulse
3) There is severe angulations of the joint
4) D. The patient is unconscious

Answer 1

A swollen, deformed extremity with loss of distal pulse is high-priority due to risks of ischemia and tissue damage, particularly in cases of upper limb fractures which can compress major arteries.

Step-by-step explanation:

A painful, swollen, deformed extremity is considered a high-priority injury when there is a loss of distal pulse. The absence of a distal pulse may indicate that there is ischemia, or lack of blood flow, which can result in tissue damage. In the context of fractures, particularly those in the upper limb, such as a distal humerus fracture, this can signify potential compression of the artery to the forearm, which demands urgent medical attention to prevent irreparable harm to muscle and other tissues. Additionally, injuries to joints like the hip or the elbow can be critical due to their complex structure and the high likelihood of associated complications, such as nerve damage or blood supply disruption.