ATLS Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma 2

Question 1

A patient arrives after a motorcycle crash with a rigid, distended abdomen and hypotension. What is the most appropriate initial diagnostic study?

Accepted Answer

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST)

Answer

CT scan with IV contrast

Answer

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage

Answer

Abdominal X-ray

Question 2

Which organ is most commonly injured in blunt abdominal trauma?

Accepted Answer

Spleen

Answer

Liver

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Small bowel

Question 3

A stab wound to the left lower chest at the 7th intercostal space should raise suspicion for injury to which abdominal organ?

Accepted Answer

Spleen

Answer

Right kidney

Answer

Bladder

Answer

Pancreas

Question 4

What is the most reliable indicator of intra-abdominal hemorrhage requiring surgical intervention in an unstable trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

Positive FAST exam

Answer

Elevated serum lactate

Answer

Falling hemoglobin on serial labs

Answer

Base deficit greater than 6

Question 5

A hemodynamically stable patient with a Grade III splenic laceration on CT is best managed with which approach?

Accepted Answer

Nonoperative management with observation

Answer

Emergent splenectomy

Answer

Splenic artery embolization only

Answer

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage

Question 6

Which finding on diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is considered positive for significant intra-abdominal injury?

Accepted Answer

RBC count >100,000/mm3 in blunt trauma

Answer

RBC count >50,000/mm3

Answer

WBC count >100/mm3

Answer

Amylase level >100 IU/dL