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Hemorrhage & Emergency Response Flashcards

7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. During a laparotomy, the surgeon inadvertently nicks the inferior vena cava (IVC). The FIRST response by the first assistant should be to:

    Answer: Apply direct finger pressure over the injury site

    Direct finger or sponge pressure on an IVC injury is the immediate priority to control massive venous hemorrhage while the surgical team prepares definitive repair.

  2. Damage control surgery (DCS) for hemorrhage primarily aims to:

    Answer: Control hemorrhage and contamination while deferring complex repairs

    Damage control surgery focuses on rapid hemorrhage control and contamination prevention, leaving complex reconstructions for a later operation after physiologic stabilization.

  3. Which electrolyte abnormality is MOST commonly associated with massive blood transfusion and can worsen coagulopathy?

    Answer: Hypocalcemia

    Stored blood contains citrate which chelates ionized calcium; massive transfusion depletes calcium needed for coagulation factor activation, worsening coagulopathy.

  4. A patient undergoing an emergent splenectomy begins showing a prolonged PT/INR, low fibrinogen, and thrombocytopenia. This constellation MOST likely represents:

    Answer: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

    DIC presents with simultaneous consumption of clotting factors and platelets, producing elevated PT, low fibrinogen, and thrombocytopenia in a massively bleeding patient.

  5. The 'lethal triad' of trauma refers to the combination of:

    Answer: Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy

    The lethal triad — hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy — creates a self-perpetuating cycle that dramatically increases mortality in severely injured patients.

  6. Permissive hypotension during hemorrhagic shock resuscitation is generally targeted at a systolic blood pressure of:

    Answer: 80–90 mmHg

    Permissive hypotension targets SBP of 80–90 mmHg to maintain end-organ perfusion while avoiding hydrostatic disruption of forming clots before surgical hemorrhage control.

  7. Which suture technique is preferred for rapid temporary control of a bleeding vessel during emergent hemorrhage?

    Answer: Figure-of-eight suture

    A figure-of-eight suture provides rapid, secure ligation of a bleeding vessel by encircling and compressing the tissue on both sides of the vessel.