What is the proper fracture treatment?

• A. Move the limb to relieve pain
• B. Immobilize, splint joints above and below
• C. Keep the limb still
• D. Apply heat over the area

Answer: (B)

Immobilize and splint the area, securing joints above and below the fracture. This stabilizes the bone ends, reduces movement, and protects surrounding tissues, which lowers pain and makes transfer safer in a field setting. Simply keeping the limb still may prevent some motion, but it doesn’t control movement at the joints adjacent to the fracture and can still allow displacement. Applying heat over the area isn’t appropriate in the acute phase because heat increases swelling and can mask the injury, hindering proper assessment. In practice, use a rigid splint (or sturdy improvised one), pad it well, and secure it so the limb remains as immobile as possible while you arrange transport.