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Traumatic limb pain analgesia — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyPre-hospital PharmacologyTraumatic limb pain analgesiaDipIMC

A 32-year-old woman with isolated closed ankle fracture has severe pain. She is alert, haemodynamically stable and has no contraindication to inhaled analgesia. What is the most appropriate drug/dose?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Methoxyflurane or nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia according to local availability and contraindications

Inhaled analgesia may be appropriate for short-term moderate to severe traumatic pain when contraindications are absent and local governance permits. Adrenaline, aspirin, naloxone and furosemide do not treat isolated fracture pain. Analgesia should be combined with splinting and reassessment. The pearl is that analgesic choice depends on injury, physiology, contraindications and transfer time.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines 2025; NICE Major Trauma NG39