American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Orthopedic Practice Test

What can be the immediate effect of applying an adequate splint to a fracture?

1. Increased swelling

2. Reduced pain

3. Improved mobility

4. Bone healing

The correct answer is: Reduced pain

Applying an adequate splint to a fracture can lead to reduced pain, primarily due to stabilization of the injured area. When a fracture occurs, the surrounding tissues, including muscles, ligaments, and nerves, can be affected, leading to significant discomfort and inflammation. By immobilizing the fracture site, a splint prevents further movement that could exacerbate pain and irritation to the nearby structures. In addition to providing pain relief, a splint also helps protect the injury from additional trauma while promoting a more favorable healing environment. While bone healing is a longer-term process that follows the initial response to injury, the immediate goal of splinting is to alleviate pain and minimize additional damage. Improved mobility is not typically an immediate effect of splinting; rather, splints restrict movement to ensure the fracture can heal properly. Likewise, increased swelling can occur initially after injury due to inflammation, which splinting does not prevent but can potentially help manage by reducing movement. Thus, the primary immediate effect of splinting is the reduction of pain associated with the fracture.