Trauma Management Flashcards
7 cards from real Paramedics Exam 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 Management flashcards as text
A patient has a femur fracture with an estimated blood loss of 1,500 mL. Which class of hemorrhage is this?
Answer: Class III
Class III hemorrhage involves 1,501–2,000 mL blood loss (30–40% of blood volume), causing marked tachycardia, tachypnea, and altered mental status.
When applying a tourniquet for extremity hemorrhage, it should be placed how far proximal to the wound?
Answer: 1–2 inches
Tourniquets should be placed 1–2 inches proximal to the wound to control arterial hemorrhage effectively while minimizing ischemia to healthy tissue.
Which spinal injury pattern results from axial loading and is most commonly associated with diving accidents?
Answer: Burst fracture
Burst fractures result from axial loading forces compressing the vertebra and are classic injuries seen in diving accidents and falls from height.
A penetrating abdominal trauma patient is hypotensive. Which IV fluid strategy is preferred during transport?
Answer: Permissive hypotension with limited crystalloid
Permissive hypotension (targeting SBP 80–90 mmHg) limits dilution of clotting factors and prevents clot disruption in penetrating trauma until surgical hemorrhage control.
Which finding is most indicative of a tension pneumothorax in a trauma patient?
Answer: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
Tracheal deviation away from the affected side is a hallmark late sign of tension pneumothorax as mediastinal structures shift under increasing pressure.
In a patient with a suspected pelvic fracture and hemodynamic instability, what is the most appropriate prehospital intervention?
Answer: Apply a pelvic binder at the level of the greater trochanters
A circumferential pelvic binder should be applied at the level of the greater trochanters to reduce pelvic volume and tamponade venous bleeding.
Which Glasgow Coma Scale score indicates severe traumatic brain injury?
Answer: 3–8
A GCS of 3–8 is classified as severe TBI and warrants aggressive airway management, targeting SpO2 >95% and ETCO2 35–45 mmHg.