Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

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A 19-year-old female has a closed, swollen deformity to her left forearm. You are unable to palpate a radial pulse and the skin distal to the injury is cold and pale. Several attempts to contact medical control have failed. You should:
Correct Answer:
apply an air splint to her forearm, keep her arm below the level of her heart, place an icepack over the injury, and transport.
Explanation:
If the patient's pulse is absent and the skin distal to the injury is cold and pale, this indicates that there may be decreased blood flow to the affected area. Given that medical control cannot be reached, it is important to stabilize the injury and transport the patient to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible. Option A is the best choice as it addresses both stabilizing the injury with an air splint and keeping the arm below the level of the heart to decrease swelling. Option B is incorrect as it suggests attempting to restore circulation en route, which may cause further damage to the injured limb. Option C is incorrect as one attempt to restore circulation may not be enough, and delaying transport could result in further complications. Option D is incorrect as it suggests elevating the limb, which may increase swelling and further compromise blood flow. Overall, the priority in this situation is to stabilize the injury and transport the patient to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

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