What is the primary function of a splint in emergency care?

A splint's primary function in emergency care is to immobilize a fracture. When a bone is fractured, it's crucial to keep the affected area stable to prevent further injury and to alleviate pain. Immobilization helps to prevent movement at the fracture site, which can lead to additional damage to tissues, muscles, and blood vessels surrounding the bone. By using a splint, you provide support to the injured area, allowing any swelling to subside and reducing the risk of complications.

The other functions mentioned in the options do not align with the primary purpose of a splint. For instance, a splint is not designed to prevent hypothermia; while maintaining body temperature is essential in emergency care, it typically involves other measures. Restricting blood flow is also not a goal of splinting; in fact, it is important for splints to be applied in a way that does not cut off circulation. Lastly, while immobilization can indirectly help promote healing by stabilizing the fracture, the splint itself does not contribute to the healing process directly. Its main role is ensuring the fracture is stabilized during transport and treatment.