Which is the most appropriate first aid measure before transporting a person with a suspected ankle fracture?

Which is the most appropriate first aid measure before transporting a person with a suspected ankle fracture?

• A. Wrap the leg in a soft blanket.
• B. Apply ice to the fracture site.
• C. Immobilize the foot, ankle, and lower leg in a rolled magazine.
• D. Splint the left leg against the right leg.

Answer: (C)

When a suspected ankle fracture is present, stabilizing the injured limb is the priority before transporting the person. Immobilizing the foot, ankle, and lower leg prevents further movement of the fracture site, which helps protect nearby tissues from additional damage and reduces pain during movement. Using an improvised splint like a rolled magazine provides rigid support to keep the ankle and foot in a neutral position. Place the roll along the leg from the foot up to just below the knee, secure it firmly with bandages or cloth strips, and pad any pressure points to prevent skin injury. After immobilizing, check that circulation, sensation, and movement distal to the injury are intact, and adjust as needed. Wrapping the leg in a soft blanket alone doesn’t stop movement, so it won’t adequately protect the fracture during transport. Ice can help with swelling and pain, but it doesn’t stabilize the limb for movement. Splinting the leg against the other leg offers no stable support and can cause misalignment or pressure issues. Immobilization with a proper splint is the safest first step.

When a suspected ankle fracture is present, stabilizing the injured limb is the priority before transporting the person. Immobilizing the foot, ankle, and lower leg prevents further movement of the fracture site, which helps protect nearby tissues from additional damage and reduces pain during movement.

Using an improvised splint like a rolled magazine provides rigid support to keep the ankle and foot in a neutral position. Place the roll along the leg from the foot up to just below the knee, secure it firmly with bandages or cloth strips, and pad any pressure points to prevent skin injury. After immobilizing, check that circulation, sensation, and movement distal to the injury are intact, and adjust as needed.

Wrapping the leg in a soft blanket alone doesn’t stop movement, so it won’t adequately protect the fracture during transport. Ice can help with swelling and pain, but it doesn’t stabilize the limb for movement. Splinting the leg against the other leg offers no stable support and can cause misalignment or pressure issues. Immobilization with a proper splint is the safest first step.