Question

James, a 12-year-old boy, lost control of his trail bike while riding on a course that he and some friends constructed in a vacant lot. He flew over the handlebars into the dirt onto his left arm. His arm is broken, and the bone is sticking out through the skin. Immediate first aid included stabilization of the wound with a pressure dressing due to bleeding and immobilization of the wound with a splint. It is 10:00a.m.

1. James has sustained a traumatic injury to his left arm. What classifications does/do his wound fall into?

Answer 1

James has suffered a compound (open) fracture, which means the bone has pierced the skin, posing high infection risk, and generally requires medical intervention, including potential surgery, immobilization, and antibiotics.

Step-by-step explanation:

James has sustained a compound fracture, also known as an open fracture. This classification indicates a broken bone that has punctured through the skin, creating an open wound, and it requires immediate medical attention. Given the description of the injury, with the bone protruding through the skin and the need for a pressure dressing due to bleeding, it's clear that the wound is serious. The nature of James's injury implies a high risk of infection due to the exposure of the bone and internal tissues to the external environment.

Therefore, it's critical that he receives prompt and proper medical care. The initial stabilization and immobilization were essential first aid steps to prevent further injury and control bleeding until professional medical treatment could be provided. In a hospital setting, treatments such as surgery may be necessary for properly aligning and securing the broken bones, along with antibiotics to prevent infection, and a tetanus shot if James's immunizations are not up to date, considering the dirt involved in the incident.