Final answer:
For a fractured forearm, a splint should extend from the elbow to the fingertips, which covers both the radius and ulna bones and supports proper healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
For a fractured forearm, a splint should extend from the elbow to the fingertips. This coverage ensures that the entire forearm is immobilized, which includes both the radius and ulna bones, as well as the joints and soft tissues that might be affected by the injury. In the case of specific fractures like a distal humerus fracture or a Colles fracture, immobilization and proper splinting are critical to avoid further injury and allow for proper healing. It's important to recognize that different types of fractures may present particular challenges, such as possible compression of the artery to the forearm in a distal humerus fracture or the characteristic "dinner fork" deformity seen in Colles fractures.