Trauma & Emergency Surgery Flashcards
7 cards from real CST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Trauma & Emergency Surgery flashcards as text
A penetrating abdominal trauma patient has an eviscerated bowel loop through a stab wound. The scrub tech preparing for emergency laparotomy should NOT:
Answer: Attempt to replace the bowel into the abdomen pre-operatively
Eviscerated bowel should never be forced back into the abdomen pre-operatively; it is covered with moist sterile dressings and reduced under controlled conditions in the OR.
Which vascular clamp is most commonly used to control the aorta during an emergency department thoracotomy?
Answer: DeBakey aortic clamp
A DeBakey aortic cross-clamp is used to occlude the descending aorta during emergency thoracotomy, diverting blood flow to the heart and brain.
The Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used by the OR team primarily to:
Answer: Assess baseline neurological status and guide urgency of neurosurgical intervention
The GCS provides a standardized neurological assessment that guides urgency of neurosurgical intervention and helps monitor changes in a trauma patient's condition.
During a trauma craniotomy for epidural hematoma, the scrub tech should anticipate which initial tool for bone removal?
Answer: Hudson brace and Gigli saw or high-speed cranial perforator (drill)
A cranial perforator (drill) creates burr holes, which are then connected using a craniotome or Gigli saw to remove the bone flap for hematoma evacuation.
In a trauma patient requiring emergency fasciotomy for compartment syndrome of the lower leg, which compartments MUST be released?
Answer: All four compartments: anterior, lateral, deep posterior, and superficial posterior
A complete lower leg fasciotomy releases all four compartments (anterior, lateral, deep posterior, superficial posterior) to ensure adequate decompression and prevent muscle necrosis.
The BEST indicator of adequate resuscitation during ongoing trauma surgery is:
Answer: Correction of base deficit and lactate clearance along with hemodynamic stability
Lactate clearance and base deficit correction indicate resolution of tissue hypoperfusion (shock), making them superior markers of adequate resuscitation compared to vital signs alone.
A trauma patient with a suspected cardiac tamponade will classically present with Beck's Triad, which includes:
Answer: Hypotension, distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds
Beck's Triad of hypotension, jugular venous distension (distended neck veins), and muffled heart sounds classically identifies pericardial tamponade.