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
A rural ED has a patient with an epidural hematoma. The nearest neurosurgeon is 2 hours by ground. Best action?
Answer: Arrange helicopter transport to neurosurgical center
Helicopter transport significantly reduces time to definitive neurosurgical care for this time-critical injury.
What documentation must accompany a trauma patient during transfer?
Answer: Transfer summary with assessment, interventions, imaging, labs, and response to treatment
Complete written documentation including all findings, interventions, imaging, labs, and response must accompany the patient.
Which factor is MOST important in determining transport mode for interfacility transfer?
Answer: Time to definitive care balanced against patient acuity
Transport mode should be determined by time needed to reach definitive care weighed against clinical acuity.
A chest tube is draining 50 mL/hr during transport. How should the drainage system be managed?
Answer: Keep below chest level connected to suction or water seal
The chest tube must remain connected to a sealed drainage system below chest level.
The 'golden hour' concept primarily emphasizes which principle?
Answer: Time from injury to definitive care significantly impacts survival
The golden hour emphasizes that the time interval between injury and definitive treatment significantly affects survival outcomes.
Which is an absolute contraindication to transferring a trauma patient?
Answer: No absolute contraindication exists if transfer provides higher-level care
There is no absolute contraindication when the patient needs care beyond the current facility's capability.