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Compartment syndrome — DipIMC MCQ

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HardPre-Hospital Trauma ManagementCompartment syndromeDipIMC

A climber with a closed tibial fracture develops escalating pain, pain on passive toe movement and paraesthesia during evacuation. Pedal pulses remain present. What is the most appropriate transport decision?

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

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Correct answer: B — Urgently transfer for surgical assessment of compartment syndrome

Option B is correct because Compartment syndrome is a clinical diagnosis and pulses may remain present until late. Option D is less appropriate because the clinical risk exceeds that destination or timeframe; option C is less appropriate because pre-alert is needed to mobilise the correct receiving team. Option E is less appropriate because watchful waiting risks deterioration or delays definitive care; option A is less appropriate because unmonitored private transport is unsafe for this risk profile. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines