Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

The use of a pelvic binder is specifically indicated in cases of suspected pelvic fractures with hemodynamic instability. When a patient sustains a pelvic fracture, there is a high risk of significant bleeding due to the rich vascular supply in the pelvis. This can lead to hypovolemic shock and life-threatening hemodynamic instability.

A pelvic binder works by applying external circumferential compression to the pelvis, which helps to stabilize the fracture and control bleeding. By reducing the volume of the pelvic cavity, it also creates a more favorable environment for clotting, therefore improving the patient's chances of maintaining hemodynamic stability while awaiting definitive surgical intervention.

In contrast, head injuries, chest injuries, and abdominal lacerations typically do not involve the same mechanisms of hemorrhage associated with pelvic fractures and therefore do not benefit from the application of a pelvic binder. These injuries require different approaches for management and stabilization, focusing on their specific pathophysiology and potential complications.