What is the best treatment for a fracture of the femur shaft?

The best treatment for a fracture of the femur shaft involves immobilizing the patient to a backboard with traction. This approach is crucial because a femur shaft fracture can lead to significant blood loss and potential complications from movement. By using a backboard, you provide stability to the injured limb, which helps prevent further damage to the bone and surrounding tissues. The application of traction assists in aligning the fractured ends of the femur, alleviating pain and preventing muscle spasms that could complicate treatment.

In contrast, applying a splint and monitoring vital signs is insufficient for a femur fracture because simply splinting does not address the need for immobilization and could lead to further injury. Initiating CPR immediately is only appropriate if the patient exhibits signs of cardiac arrest or severe life-threatening conditions, which is not inherently related to a femur fracture. Encouraging the patient to walk it off is dangerous and inappropriate, as it could exacerbate the injury and lead to complications.