CAISS Thorax Injuries 3

Question 1

A traumatic aortic injury classified as AIS 5 most likely involves:

Accepted Answer

Aortic transection with free hemorrhage

Answer

AIS 5 (critical) thoracic aortic injuries involve full transection or near-transection with free hemorrhage, which is immediately life-threatening.

Question 2

Which structure's injury is coded in the AIS thorax region when the diaphragm is lacerated?

Accepted Answer

Thorax region

Answer

Diaphragm injuries are coded in the AIS thorax body region (region 4) regardless of the mechanism of injury.

Question 3

Beck's triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, distended neck veins) following thoracic trauma suggests:

Accepted Answer

Pericardial tamponade

Answer

Beck's triad is the classic presentation of pericardial tamponade, caused by blood accumulating in the pericardial sac compressing the heart.

Question 4

A 'massive hemothorax' is typically defined by initial drainage of at least:

Accepted Answer

1,500 mL

Answer

Massive hemothorax is defined by ≥1,500 mL (or ≥1/3 of blood volume) drained on initial chest tube insertion, classified as AIS 4.

Question 5

In AIS coding, myocardial contusion without arrhythmia or wall motion abnormality is coded as:

Accepted Answer

AIS 3

Answer

Myocardial contusion without complications (no arrhythmia, no wall motion abnormality, no hemodynamic compromise) is classified as AIS 3.

(CAISS) Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist Practice Test