Trauma Emergencies Flashcards

A patient sustains a gunshot wound to the abdomen with evisceration of bowel through the wound. What is the correct initial management of the eviscerated bowel?

Answer: Cover with a moist, sterile dressing

Eviscerated bowel should be covered with a moist, sterile dressing to prevent desiccation and contamination while the patient is prepared for surgical repair.

Which fracture pattern is associated with massive pelvic hemorrhage and hemodynamic instability?

Answer: Open-book pelvic fracture (AP compression injury)

An open-book pelvis (AP compression) disrupts the pelvic ring and stretches or tears the pelvic venous plexus and iliac vessels, causing massive hemorrhage.

The 'lethal triad' in trauma refers to which three conditions?

Answer: Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy

The lethal triad of trauma—hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy—creates a self-perpetuating cycle that leads to exsanguination if not interrupted.

A patient has a zone II penetrating neck injury with active bleeding. Which is the priority intervention?

Answer: Direct pressure and airway management

For any penetrating neck injury with active hemorrhage, direct pressure to control bleeding combined with airway management is the immediate priority before any imaging or surgical planning.

A patient has a suspected tension pneumothorax in the field. What is the prehospital treatment?

Answer: Needle thoracostomy at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line

Prehospital needle thoracostomy (14–16g needle at 2nd ICS, MCL) is the emergency intervention for suspected tension pneumothorax to relieve pressure.

Which scoring system is used prehospital to predict which trauma patients need transfer to a trauma center?

Answer: Revised Trauma Score (RTS)

The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) uses GCS, systolic BP, and respiratory rate to predict injury severity and guide trauma center triage decisions.