What immediate treatment should be provided for a fracture with arterial bleeding?

For a fracture accompanied by arterial bleeding, the priority is to control the bleeding to stabilize the patient's condition. Applying direct pressure to the wound is essential because it helps to constrict the damaged blood vessels and reduce blood loss. This action not only addresses the immediate life-threatening issue of significant bleeding but also prepares the patient for further treatment.

After controlling bleeding, other measures such as splinting the fracture and elevating the limb can be implemented, but these are secondary to ensuring that the bleeding is managed first. Transferring the patient to a trauma center is important for comprehensive care, but it cannot occur until the bleeding is controlled, as this is critical for patient survival. While providing pain medication is important for comfort, it is not the immediate priority when dealing with arterial bleeding, which poses a risk of hypovolemic shock or even death if not addressed promptly.