Fractures

Question 1

What are the different types of fracture?

Answer 1

• open fracture (skin breaks, open wound)
• closed fracture (skin doesn’t break)
• complicated fractures (surrounding structures get affected)
• stress fracture (tiny cracks caused by repetitive force / stress)
• greenstick fracture (bone only cracks on one side)
• spiral (in a spiral manner)
• oblique (/)
• transverse (—)
• wedge ()
• impacted (bone is driven into itself)
• displaced (comes out of alignment)

Question 2

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

Answer 2

• severe pain
• difficulty in movement
• tenderness on applying pressure

Question 3

How is first aid provided for an open fracture?

Answer 3

• check for other injuries
• immobilize the broken wound
• control bleeding around the wound
• apply dressing and bandage to the wound

Question 4

How should bandages be used for fractures?

Answer 4

• don’t apply over the fracture
• should be firm
• place padding material

Question 5

How / what kinds of splints should be used?

Answer 5

• rigid enough
• wide / long enough
• well padded
• raise the injured part

Question 6

What are the things you shouldn’t do to fractures?

Answer 6

• massage the affected area
• straighten the broken bone
• move the move without support
• move the joints about

Question 7

How are skull fractures recognized?

Answer 7

• wound / bruise on the head
• soft area / depression on the scalp
• bruising behind one ear or around eyes
• blood in the eye

Question 8

What is the treatment for skull fractures?

Answer 8

• don’t turn the head in case there’s neck injury
• control any bleeding by applying pressure around the wound
• if there’s discharge from an ear, cover it with a sterile dressing / clean pad
• monitor vital signs
  If unconscious
• open airway using the jaw thrust method, check for breathing
• chest compressions and rescue breaths

Question 9

What are the symptoms of spin fractures?

Answer 9

• tenderness near the affected part
• unable to feel / move legs if the injury is in the lower back or can’t move any limb if the injury is at neck level

Question 10

What is the treatment for spin fractures?

Answer 10

• casualty must not move unless their life is in danger
• place blankets under their backs
• the head and trunk needs to be aligned at all times

Question 11

What are the symptoms of jaw fractures?

Answer 11

• difficulty speaking, chewing
• displaced teeth
• swelling, bruising around the jaw

Question 12

What is the treatment for jaw fractures?

Answer 12

• carefully remove any loose teeth
• support the injured jaw
• if unconscious / seriously injured, place the injured side down and soft pad under the head

Question 13

What are the symptoms of collar bone fractures?

Answer 13

• if the casualty is supporting her injured side arm and inclining the head towards the injury
• reluctant to move the arm on the injured side

Question 14

What is the treatment for collar fractures?

Answer 14

• position the injured side arm so that the fingertips are almost resting on the opposite shoulder
• support the arm with an elevation sling with soft padding in between