Question

An elderly woman complains of pain to her right groin area after she fell. Her right leg is shortened and externally rotated. Which of the following would be the MOST effective way of stabilizing her injury?

A) Apply a traction splint to the right leg
B) Immobilize the right leg with a vacuum splint
C) Place the patient in a Trendelenburg position
D) Perform a log roll to assess the spine

Answer 1

The most effective way of stabilizing the elderly woman's injury is to immobilize the right leg with a vacuum splint.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most effective way of stabilizing the elderly woman's injury is to immobilize the right leg with a vacuum splint.

Falling with a shortened and externally rotated leg could indicate a hip fracture, and immobilizing the leg with a vacuum splint will help support and stabilize the injury until medical help arrives. Applying a traction splint is not appropriate in this case because it is used for stabilizing certain types of fractures in the lower leg, not the hip.

The Trendelenburg position and log roll are both maneuvers used in the assessment and management of spinal injuries, not hip injuries.