Thoracic Trauma Flashcards
6 cards from real ATLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Thoracic Trauma flashcards as text
A patient with blunt chest trauma has paradoxical chest wall movement. What is the primary cause of hypoxia?
Answer: Underlying pulmonary contusion
The underlying pulmonary contusion, not the mechanical wall defect, is the primary driver of respiratory failure.
A chest tube initially drains 1,800 mL of blood. According to ATLS, next step?
Answer: Prepare for emergent thoracotomy
Initial drainage >1,500 mL indicates massive hemothorax requiring emergent thoracotomy.
An open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound) is initially managed with which intervention?
Answer: Three-sided occlusive dressing
Three-sided dressing creates a flutter-valve: sealed during inspiration, open during expiration to prevent tension.
Widened mediastinum on CXR after high-speed deceleration suggests which injury?
Answer: Traumatic aortic injury
Widened mediastinum (>8 cm) after deceleration is the most common finding suggesting traumatic aortic injury at the isthmus.
A chest tube is in place but there is continuous air leak with the lung not re-expanding. Diagnosis?
Answer: Tracheobronchial disruption
Persistent large air leak with failure to re-expand suggests tracheobronchial disruption.
What is the preferred initial study for suspected blunt cardiac injury in a stable patient?
Answer: 12-lead ECG
ECG detects arrhythmias, ST changes, and conduction abnormalities indicating myocardial damage.