LAUSR

THE SITUATION A 17yearold female patient was admitted to the emergency department with an ankle fracture. She had been playing softball and slid into third base, jamming her ankle. She was transported to the hospital emergency trauma center in her mother’s car. After the emergency physician examined her and conducted diagnostic tests (ie, physical examination; x-rays; blood work including laboratory tests for serum pregnancy, potassium, hemoglobin), the attending emergency room physician contacted the orthopedic surgeon regarding the examination findings. The orthopedic surgeon scheduled the patient for an open reduction internal fixation of her ankle with plates and screws.