What is the purpose of a sling and swath in upper-limb injuries?

• A. To support the arm, immobilize the shoulder and elbow, and reduce pain during transport.
• B. To immobilize the leg for transport.
• C. To immobilize the head to the body.
• D. To reduce blood flow to the torso.

Answer: (A)

Injury care for the upper limb focuses on stabilizing the arm at the shoulder and elbow to prevent further damage and ease pain. A sling supports the forearm and hand, taking weight off the shoulder, while a swath wraps around the chest to hold the arm close and limit movement. This combination keeps the entire upper limb in a fixed position during transport, which protects joints, reduces pain, and helps control bleeding or swelling until professional care can be provided. The other options describe immobilizing or affecting parts that aren’t involved in typical upper-limb injuries (like the leg or head) or altering blood flow to the torso, which isn’t the purpose of a sling and swath.