37.12. In the presence of a foreign object in a wound, it is necessary to:
UAПри наявності стороннього тіла в рані необхідно:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns pre-medical aid at the scene of a traffic accident and is directly related to road safety: a driver must not only operate a vehicle but also know how to act so as not to worsen the victim's condition before medical professionals arrive. The traffic rules (clause 2.10 on the driver's duties in the event of involvement in a traffic accident) emphasize the need to take possible pre-medical aid measures and call an ambulance, with the key principle at the scene being — do no harm.
Within the theoretical exam, this question tests the understanding of basic first aid tactics for wounds with a foreign object (such as fragments of glass, metal, plastic, wood, etc.). The correct approach is to protect the wound from contamination and secure the object with a bandage, without attempting to remove it: the foreign body may serve as a "plug," partially limiting bleeding, and its removal can sharply increase bleeding or further damage blood vessels, nerves, and tissues. Therefore, in the context of the traffic rules, securing the object with a bandage is the safe pre-medical action, while removal is a task for a doctor.
When comparing answer options, attempting to remove the object before bandaging is risky and may cause dangerous complications, especially with deep penetration. The condition "secure only if the object protrudes by 5 cm" is also incorrect, since even a small visible part does not indicate the depth or extent of the injury; securing is necessary regardless of length to prevent the object from moving or being pushed deeper. In practice, this means: surround the object with clean (preferably sterile) napkins/gauze, secure with a bandage without pressing on the object itself, and arrange for medical help as soon as possible — this is the knowledge that this exam question checks.
Clause 2.10 (driver's duties in case of involvement in a road traffic accident), subclause "g"
In case of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to: take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims, call (if necessary) an ambulance, and report the incident to the relevant unit of the National Police.
Brief application to the question: The Traffic Rules require the provision of pre-medical assistance, which means performing such primary actions that do not worsen the victim's condition. If there is a foreign object in the wound, a safe pre-medical action is to secure it with a bandage without removal (to avoid increasing bleeding and causing additional injuries).
Clause 2.10 (driver's duties in case of involvement in a road traffic accident), subclause "d"
In case of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to: if necessary, take the victim to the nearest medical facility with their own vehicle, having first recorded the location of the accident traces, as well as the position of the vehicle after it stopped; at the medical facility, report their surname and vehicle registration number (presenting the relevant documents) and return to the scene of the accident.
Brief application to the question: this emphasizes that at the stage of pre-medical assistance, the main thing is not to cause harm and to ensure safe transportation/waiting for medics; removal of a foreign object from a wound refers to medical assistance, not to pre-medical actions at the scene.
Thus, the correct answer is "Apply a bandage without removing the foreign object," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims, and pre-medical actions should prevent deterioration of the condition (in particular, not provoke additional bleeding and injury by removing a foreign object).
When providing first aid for a wound, it is important to remember: if there is a foreign object in the wound (a fragment of glass, metal, plastic, wood, etc.), it should not be removed at the scene. A person without medical training cannot accurately assess how deep it has penetrated or what exactly might be damaged inside.
The main risk is that the foreign object may be partially "sealing" a damaged vessel, essentially holding back the bleeding. If it is pulled out, the bleeding may suddenly intensify, becoming life-threatening. Additionally, removing it may further injure tissues, nerves, or internal structures, or shift the object so that it causes even more harm.
The correct tactic for a driver or a witness to a traffic accident is different: the wound should be protected from contamination and the object should be immobilized so it does not move. To do this, a dressing is applied around the object, creating support from clean (preferably sterile) napkins or gauze on the sides so that the object remains immobile. The dressing is secured in such a way that it does not press on the foreign object itself or push it deeper into the wound.
For example, if after a traffic accident a victim has a fragment of interior trim or glass sticking out of their body, it is not removed. It is surrounded with clean material, fixed with a dressing, and prompt medical attention is sought, where removal will be performed safely and with control over possible complications.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Apply a dressing without removing the foreign object," because removing it may increase bleeding and further damage tissues, while a dressing allows the wound to be protected and the object securely fixed until medical personnel arrive.