Question

A 30-year-old man complains of severe pain to his right tibia following an injury that occurred the day before. The patient's leg is pale and he is unable to move his foot. The EMT should suspect that ________.

1) the nerves behind the knee are compromised.
2) a severe infection has developed in the muscle.
3) pressure in the fascial compartment is elevated.
4) the nerves supplying the foot have been severed.

Answer 1

The EMT should suspect that pressure in the fascial compartment is elevated.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the scenario suggest that the EMT should suspect that pressure in the fascial compartment is elevated. This condition is known as compartment syndrome, which occurs when the pressure within a limb compartment increases, leading to restricted blood flow, tissue damage, and nerve compression. In this case, the severe pain, pale leg, and inability to move the foot are indicative of compromised blood flow and nerve function.