Question

A teenage female patient has been ejected from a car as it rolled down a hill. She is responsive, but with signs of early shock. She has bruising to her anterior abdomen, a laceration to her left temple, and deformity to he left wrist. At what point should the wrist injury be splinted?

Select one:
a. Prior to immobilizing the patient
b. Just before leaving the scene
c. En-route to the hospital
d. Before transferring to the stretcher

Answer 1

The wrist injury of the patient should be splinted en-route to the hospital after initial stabilization due to the potential for life-threatening injuries and the need to address early shock.

Step-by-step explanation:

At what point should the wrist injury be splinted? The wrist injury should be splinted en-route to the hospital. This is because it’s crucial to prioritize the patient's overall stability before attending to specific injuries. In a trauma situation like a car accident, there may be life-threatening internal injuries that need immediate attention. Splinting should be done once the patient is stabilized and while they are being transported to the hospital so that they receive care for all their injuries in a safe and controlled manner.

For example, a common injury like a Colles fracture or a scaphoid fracture following a fall onto an outstretched hand needs to be addressed promptly to prevent complications such as bone necrosis or degenerative joint disease. However, the initial response should focus on the signs of early shock and potential internal injuries, which would indicate a need for prompt and possibly aggressive treatment. Once those are managed, splinting the wrist can help minimize movement and provide support en-route to definitive care.