Where do you check for TIC?

• A. In the bones of the extremities
• B. In the chest cavity
• C. In the abdomen
• D. In the skull

Answer: (A)

TIC refers to signs of a fracture: Tenderness, Instability, and Crepitus. When you suspect a fracture, you check for TIC at the site of the injured bone, typically in the bones of the extremities. You assess by palpating along the limb for tenderness (pain with touch), testing stability by gently moving the limb to see if there's abnormal movement or deformity, and listening for or feeling crepitus (a gritty sensation or crackling sound as the bone ends rub together). These signs are most reliably evaluated in the limbs, where fractures are common and easy to assess in the field, and they guide immobilization and splinting decisions.