Orthopaedic Injuries

Question 1

Approximately how many bones are in the human body?

Answer 1

206

Question 2

Why can a fractured bone cause bleeding and significant pain?

Answer 2

Bone is living tissue

Question 3

What is a joint?

Answer 3

A junction where two bones come into contact, stabilized by ligaments.

Question 4

Define a fracture.

Answer 4

A broken bone.

Question 5

Define a dislocation.

Answer 5

A disruption of a joint.

Question 6

Define a sprain.

Answer 6

A stretching injury to the ligaments around a joint.

Question 7

Define a strain

Answer 7

A stretching of a muscle

Question 8

In trauma, the zone of injury may extend beyond the point of contact depending on what?

Answer 8

The amount of kinetic energy absorbed by tissues

Question 9

If a patient has a musculoskeletal injury, what should you always maintain a high index of suspicion for?

Answer 9

Associated injuries

Question 10

What are the two classifications of bone fractures?

Answer 10

Open or Closed.

Question 11

When splinting an open extremity fracture, what must you do before applying the splint?

Answer 11

Control bleeding and apply a sterile dressing to the open injury.

Question 12

How should you treat suspected fractures and dislocations even if diagnosis is difficult without an X-ray?

Answer 12

Treat them similarly: stabilize the injury with a splint and transport the patient

Question 13

List some signs of fractures and dislocations

Answer 13

Pain, deformity, point tenderness, false motion, crepitus, swelling, bruising, unstable joint (sprains)

Question 14

What should you always do when assessing an injured extremity?

Answer 14

Compare the unaffected extremity with the injured extremity whenever possible

Question 15

When splinting a long bone injury, where should the splint extend to?

Answer 15

To the joint below the injury site for complete stabilization.

Question 16

When are slings and swaths commonly used?

Answer 16

To treat shoulder dislocations and to secure injured upper extremities to the body.

Question 17

How should lower extremity injuries be secured to the unaffected limb or a backboard?

Answer 17

Secured to the unaffected limb or a backboard (check local protocol/specific injury)

Question 18

What are some of the most common life-threatening musculoskeletal injuries?

Answer 18

Multiple fractures, open fractures with arterial bleeding, pelvic fractures, bilateral femur fractures, and limb amputations.

Question 19

Define

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint

Answer 19

A simple joint where the bony projections of the scapula and the clavicle meet at the top of the shoulder.

Question 20

Define

Articular cartilage

Answer 20

A pearly white layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.

Question 21

Define

Calcaneus

Answer 21

The heel bone

Question 22

Define

Compartment syndrome

Answer 22

Swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue.

Question 23

Define

Crepitus

Answer 23

A grating or grinding sensation or sound caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together.

Question 24

Define

Displaced fracture

Answer 24

A fracture in which bone fragments are
separated from one another, producing deformity in the limb

Question 25

# Define False motion

Answer 25

Movement that occurs in a bone at a point where there is no joint, indicating a fracture; also called free movement

Question 26

# Define Fibula

Answer 26

The outer and smaller bone of the two bones of the lower leg.

Question 27

# Define Ligaments

Answer 27

Bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to bones. Ligaments support and strengthen a joint.

Question 28

# Define Nondisplaced fracture

Answer 28

A simple crack in the bone that has not caused the bone to move from its normal anatomic position; also called a hairline fracture.

Question 29

# Define Point tenderness

Answer 29

Tenderness that is sharply localized at the site of the injury, found by gently palpating along the bone with the tip of one finger.

Question 30

# Define Sciatic nerve

Answer 30

The major nerve to the lower extremities; controls much of muscle function in the leg and sensation in most of the leg and foot.

Question 31

# Define Tibia

Answer 31

The shinbone; the larger of the two bones of the lower leg

Question 32

# Define Tourniquet

Answer 32

The bleeding control method used when a wound continues to bleed despite the use of direct pressure; useful if a patient is bleeding severely from a partial or complete amputation

Question 33

# Define Swathe

Answer 33

A bandage that passes around the chest to secure an injured arm to the chest.

Question 34

# Define Sling

Answer 34

A bandage or material that helps to support the weight of an injured upper extremity.

Question 35

# Define Splint

Answer 35

A flexible or rigid device used to protect and maintain the position of an injured extremity.

Question 36

# Define Pelvic binder

Answer 36

A device to splint the bony pelvis to reduce hemorrhage from bone ends, venous disruption, and pain.