What is a SAM splint and when is it used?

• A. A rigid metal rod used for all splinting.
• B. A foam pad for cushioning only.
• C. A flexible fabric tape used to wrap fractures.
• D. A collapsible, moldable splint used to immobilize fractures; can be shaped around injuries and secured.

Answer: (D)

A SAM splint is a collapsible, moldable splint used to immobilize fractures; it can be shaped around injuries and secured to hold the limb steady. In practice, you unfold and mold the splint to the contours of the injured area, bend it to support joints as needed, and then secure it with tape or a bandage to keep it in place. This versatility makes it useful for a wide range of injuries, from suspected fractures of the arm or leg to sprains, during emergency care and transport. It’s not a rigid metal rod, not merely a foam pad for padding, and not just a wrap or tape used to hold a fracture—those options don’t provide the same molded, immobilizing support the SAM splint offers.