A 32-year-old woman sustains an open fracture of the tibia in a farm accident. The wound is contaminated with dirt. What is the most appropriate immed...

Question

A 32-year-old woman sustains an open fracture of the tibia in a farm accident. The wound is contaminated with dirt. What is the most appropriate immediate management step in the emergency department?

Accepted Answer

Thorough irrigation and debridement, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and urgent orthopaedic consultation

Answer

Apply a plaster cast and discharge with oral antibiotics

Answer

Delay antibiotics until operative fixation

Answer

Close the wound in the emergency department with sutures

Answer

Apply topical antiseptic only and arrange review in a week

au-acem MCQ (SBA): Open fracture management

A 32-year-old woman sustains an open fracture of the tibia in a farm accident. The wound is contaminated with dirt. What is the most appropriate immediate management step in the emergency department?