Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the EMT Intermediate Exam. Utilize multiple choice questions with detailed explanations and hints. Get the confidence you need to pass your exam and advance your career in emergency medical services!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is typically the initial treatment for someone experiencing compartment syndrome?

Lowering the affected limb
Applying an ice pack
Emergency fasciotomy
Elevation of the affected limb

The correct answer is: Emergency fasciotomy

The initial treatment for compartment syndrome focuses on addressing the increased pressure within a compartment in the limb, which can lead to tissue ischemia and necrosis if not relieved promptly. The definitive intervention for compartment syndrome is an emergency fasciotomy, a surgical procedure that involves cutting open the fascia surrounding the muscles to relieve pressure. This is critical because delaying treatment can result in irreversible muscle and nerve damage. While other measures such as lowering or elevating the affected limb or applying ice may provide temporary relief or assist with managing discomfort, they do not address the underlying issue of the excessive pressure. These non-surgical options are generally not effective once compartment syndrome is established, making fasciotomy the appropriate choice for immediate treatment to restore perfusion and prevent further complications.