Transfer to Definitive Care 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 Transfer to Definitive Care flashcards as text
What is the primary responsibility of the referring physician when transferring a trauma patient?
Answer: Initiating resuscitation and stabilization before and during transfer
The referring physician must assess, resuscitate, and stabilize the patient to the best of the facility's capability.
During interfacility transfer, which monitoring is essential?
Answer: Continuous pulse oximetry, cardiac monitoring, and blood pressure
Continuous monitoring is essential during transfer when intervention capability is limited.
Which patient should be transferred to a Level I trauma center?
Answer: GCS 10, hemodynamically unstable, positive FAST
This patient requires comprehensive surgical capabilities, ICU resources, and specialist availability of a Level I center.
The mnemonic for trauma transfer communication is:
Answer: MIST
MIST: Mechanism, Injuries, Signs/vital signs, Treatment given.
What legal obligation does a receiving hospital with capability have regarding trauma transfers?
Answer: Must accept if they have capability and capacity (EMTALA)
Under EMTALA, a hospital with specialized capabilities must accept appropriate transfers when it has capacity.
Before helicopter transfer, which intervention must be completed?
Answer: Decompression of any pneumothorax with chest tube
Any pneumothorax must be decompressed before air transport because gas expands at altitude (Boyle's Law).