A 3-year-old child who stops using her arm after being pulled to safety may have which diagnosis?

A 3-year-old child who stops using her arm after being pulled to safety may have which diagnosis?

• A. Nursemaid's elbow
• B. Fracture
• C. Dislocated shoulder
• D. Radial head subluxation

Answer: (A)

In the scenario presented, a 3-year-old child who ceases to use her arm after being pulled to safety is most likely to have a nursemaid's elbow, which is a common injury in young children. This condition, also known as radial head subluxation, occurs when the radius (one of the bones in the forearm) slips out of the annular ligament due to a sudden pull or tug on the arm. It often happens in situations where a child is jerked or yanked, such as being pulled to safety, which aligns perfectly with the given context. The key signs of nursemaid's elbow include the child's refusal to use the affected arm, holding it close to the body, and often a lack of visible swelling or bruising, which further supports that this injury is likely rather than a fracture or dislocation. The treatment typically involves a simple manipulation by a healthcare provider to reposition the radial head, which is usually effective and restores normal function quickly. Although other options like fractures or dislocated shoulders could potentially result in an arm that is not used, they generally come with more significant symptoms such as pain, swelling, or visible deformity, which are not indicated in the child's behaviors described in the scenario. Therefore, nurse

In the scenario presented, a 3-year-old child who ceases to use her arm after being pulled to safety is most likely to have a nursemaid's elbow, which is a common injury in young children. This condition, also known as radial head subluxation, occurs when the radius (one of the bones in the forearm) slips out of the annular ligament due to a sudden pull or tug on the arm. It often happens in situations where a child is jerked or yanked, such as being pulled to safety, which aligns perfectly with the given context.

The key signs of nursemaid's elbow include the child's refusal to use the affected arm, holding it close to the body, and often a lack of visible swelling or bruising, which further supports that this injury is likely rather than a fracture or dislocation. The treatment typically involves a simple manipulation by a healthcare provider to reposition the radial head, which is usually effective and restores normal function quickly.

Although other options like fractures or dislocated shoulders could potentially result in an arm that is not used, they generally come with more significant symptoms such as pain, swelling, or visible deformity, which are not indicated in the child's behaviors described in the scenario. Therefore, nurse