Traumatic limb amputation — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: A — Apply a commercial tourniquet proximal to the wound and record the time

Apply a commercial tourniquet proximal to the wound and record the time is the best answer because life-threatening extremity haemorrhage should be controlled rapidly with a broad commercial tourniquet. Delay intervention until arrival at hospital is less appropriate because delay is unsafe when a reversible pre-hospital threat is present; Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality is less appropriate because secondary survey follows correction of immediate life threats. Transport without treating the identified time-critical problem and Wait for imaging before intervening are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; NICE Major Trauma NG39; ATACC Manual