Elbow trauma: supracondylar fracture: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Elbow trauma: supracondylar fracture

Sample item

A child falls on an outstretched hand and has a supracondylar humeral fracture. Which vascular complication requires repeated examination?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Brachial artery compromise

Supracondylar humeral fractures can endanger the brachial artery and median/anterior interosseous nerve. Distal pulses, perfusion, and nerve function need documented serial assessment.

Option by option

  • A. Radial artery aneurysm

    Radial aneurysm is not the characteristic acute complication.

  • B. Brachial artery compromise (correct)

    Correct. The brachial artery lies close to the distal humerus.

  • C. Carotid dissection

    Carotid dissection is not a typical local complication.

  • D. Femoral vein thrombosis

    Femoral venous thrombosis is unrelated to an elbow fracture.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, Brachial artery compromise. Supracondylar humeral fractures can endanger the brachial artery and median/anterior interosseous nerve.

Why is "Radial artery aneurysm" not the answer?

Radial aneurysm is not the characteristic acute complication.

Why is "Carotid dissection" not the answer?

Carotid dissection is not a typical local complication.

Why is "Femoral vein thrombosis" not the answer?

Femoral venous thrombosis is unrelated to an elbow fracture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Elbow trauma: supracondylar fracture in Orthopaedics. Distal pulses, perfusion, and nerve function need documented serial assessment.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Elbow trauma: supracondylar fracture?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.