NCLEX Uworld Practice Test

Immobilizing the injured arm with a properly positioned elbow sling is what protects the injury and reduces pain. A sling designed for this purpose should cradle the forearm and support the elbow so that movement at the elbow is minimized. When the sling is placed correctly, the elbow remains held in a stable position and the forearm and hand are supported together, limiting further strain or displacement of tissues. This option highlights applying the sling correctly as the key action. Other details—such as aiming for a specific elbow angle or the exact height of the hand relative to the elbow, or how the sling ends at the palm—are important components of proper technique, but they do not by themselves guarantee the elbow is immobilized. The central idea is secure elbow sling placement to stabilize the injured limb.