West Coast EMT Block One Exam

A 5-year-old boy has a severe deformity of his forearm. What part of the forearm is likely fractured?

1. superior

2. dorsal

3. distal

4. proximal

The correct answer is: distal

In the case of a 5-year-old boy with a severe deformity of the forearm, the most likely area to be fractured is the distal part of the forearm. The forearm consists of two bones, the ulna and the radius, which extend from the elbow to the wrist. In children, certain types of fractures, especially in the distal radius, are common due to falls or accidents, given their active play and tendency to use their arms to break a fall. Fractures in the distal region can lead to significant deformity and are often associated with growth plate injuries, which can have implications for proper growth and development as the child matures. Understanding that the distal forearm is a common site for fractures in young children due to its anatomical positioning and the types of activities they engage in helps clarify why this area is more susceptible and why the answer is identified as the distal region. Other regions of the forearm, such as the proximal and superior areas, while they can also be affected by fractures, are less frequently involved in the context of severe deformities associated with common childhood injuries. The term "dorsal" does not specifically refer to a fracture location but rather indicates a surface area, making it less relevant in