What are signs of a suspected extremity fracture?

Swelling and crepitus under the skin are indeed indicative of a suspected extremity fracture. When a fracture occurs, the surrounding soft tissue may become inflamed, leading to swelling. Crepitus refers to the grating or cracking sensation that can be felt or heard when the ends of the broken bone move against each other or when air bubbles form in the subcutaneous tissue due to trauma. Both of these signs are crucial for identifying a fracture, as they point toward the structural damage and inflammation that can occur with such injuries.

The other responses, while they indicate serious medical conditions, do not specifically relate to extremity fractures. Loss of consciousness and pulsatile bleeding may suggest more severe trauma or a head injury. Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath are associated with respiratory issues, which are not direct indicators of an extremity fracture. Blood loss and tourniquet application may suggest a severe injury or hemorrhage but do not specifically point to a fracture in the extremity itself. Thus, swelling and crepitus under the skin provide the most relevant signs for a suspected extremity fracture.