New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

A 5-year-old boy has fallen and has a severe deformity near the wrist. He has possibly sustained a fracture of the:

1. Proximal forearm

2. Superior forearm

3. Dorsal forearm

4. Distal forearm

The correct answer is: Distal forearm

The correct answer points to the distal forearm due to the anatomical location of the wrist. In pediatric patients, falls are common, especially in young children who may not have developed the necessary motor skills to catch themselves properly. The distal forearm, which includes the radius and the ulna near the wrist, is where fractures often occur in the event of a fall onto an outstretched hand. This area is particularly susceptible to injuries such as fractures because it bears the brunt of impact when a child tries to prevent injury by extending their arm during a fall. In this case, the phrase "severe deformity near the wrist" suggests the fracture is located towards the end of the forearm closest to the wrist joint, aligning with the definition of the distal forearm. The other options refer to locations that are not in close proximity to the wrist or less likely to be affected by a typical fall action. Thus, identifying the injury as a distal forearm fracture is consistent with the common patterns of pediatric fractures and the specific details given about the patient's injury.