Trauma Care Flashcards

A 7-year-old presents after a motor vehicle collision with paradoxical chest wall movement. Which injury does this indicate?

Answer: Flail chest

Flail chest results from multiple rib fractures causing a segment to move paradoxically (inward on inspiration) due to loss of chest wall integrity.

Which finding is most consistent with Beck's triad in a pediatric trauma patient?

Answer: Hypotension, muffled heart sounds, distended neck veins

Beck's triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD) is the classic presentation of cardiac tamponade.

A 10-year-old with blunt abdominal trauma has a seat belt sign across the abdomen. Which organ is at highest risk for injury?

Answer: Small bowel and mesentery

A lap belt sign is strongly associated with hollow viscus injuries (small bowel/mesentery) and Chance fractures of the lumbar spine.

When assessing circulation in a pediatric trauma patient, which is the BEST indicator of adequate perfusion?

Answer: Capillary refill time less than 2 seconds and normal mental status

Capillary refill under 2 seconds combined with normal mentation reflects adequate end-organ perfusion; BP is an unreliable early indicator in children.

A 4-year-old with a closed femur fracture is tachycardic and pale. Estimated blood loss from a femur fracture alone can be:

Answer: Up to 500 mL

A closed femur fracture can result in up to 30–500 mL of blood loss in children, depending on age and size.

Which Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score triggers immediate airway intervention in a pediatric trauma patient?

Answer: GCS ≤ 8

A GCS of 8 or less indicates severe neurologic impairment and mandates definitive airway management.

In pediatric trauma, which intervention should be performed FIRST when tension pneumothorax is suspected?

Answer: Needle thoracostomy at the 2nd intercostal space midclavicular line

Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression before any confirmatory imaging.