DCAS Trauma Management

Question 1

The ABCDE approach in trauma places haemorrhage control at which priority level?

Accepted Answer

C (Circulation) — simultaneous with or immediately after Airway and Breathing

Answer

In trauma, catastrophic external haemorrhage control (using the <C>ABCDE mnemonic, or 'C' in ABCDE) is treated as a simultaneous priority with airway, as uncontrolled haemorrhage is the leading preventable cause of trauma death.

Question 2

The 'Lethal Triad' in trauma refers to:

Accepted Answer

Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy — three mutually reinforcing killers in haemorrhagic shock

Answer

The lethal triad: hypothermia (impairs clotting and cardiac function), acidosis (from tissue hypoperfusion), and coagulopathy (failure of clotting mechanisms) — each worsens the others in a deadly cycle.

Question 3

Tourniquet application for extremity haemorrhage should be placed:

Accepted Answer

5-8cm proximal to the wound on the mid-shaft of the affected limb

Answer

Tourniquets are applied 5-8cm proximal to the wound, mid-shaft (not over a joint), tightened until bleeding stops, time documented, and left in place until surgical haemostasis in hospital.

Question 4

In the trauma patient, haemothorax is suspected when:

Accepted Answer

Absent breath sounds, dull percussion, and signs of hypovolaemic shock after chest trauma

Answer

Haemothorax presents with decreased/absent breath sounds and dullness to percussion (blood in pleural space) combined with signs of haemodynamic compromise; tracheal deviation occurs in tension pneumothorax, not simple haemothorax.

Question 5

Damage Control Surgery (DCS) focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Rapid control of haemorrhage and contamination, temporary closure, and ICU resuscitation before definitive repair

Answer

DCS limits initial surgery to abbreviated haemorrhage and contamination control, then resuscitates the patient in ICU to correct the lethal triad before returning for definitive repair when physiologically optimised.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Trauma Management