Lesson 4 - Fracture

FRACTURE - A broken bone requires emergency medical care. Your might have a broken (fractured) bone if
1. you heard or felt a bone snap
2. have difficulty moving the injured part
3. if the injured part moves in an unnatural way or is very painful to the touch
Rx -
a. For a Suspected Broken Bone:
Do not move a child whose injury involves the neck or back, unless he or she is in imminent danger. Movement can cause serious nerve damage. Phone for emergency medical help.

1. If the child must be moved, apply splints around the injured limb to prevent further injury. 
2. Leave the limb in the position you find it. The splints should be applied in that position.
3. Splints can be made by using boards, stack of newspapers, cardboard, or anything firm, and can be padded with pillows, shirts, towels, or anything soft.
4. Splints must be long enough to extend beyond the joints above and below the fracture.
5. Place cold packs or a bag of ice wrapped in cloth on the injured area.

b. If a child has an open break (bone protrudes through the skin) call the doctor immediately.

c. If there is severe bleeding, apply pressure on the bleeding area with a gauze pad or a clean piece of clothing or other material.
Do not wash the wound or try to push back any part of the bone that may be sticking out.