Trauma & Life Support Procedures Flashcards

A patient has a sucking chest wound. After sealing three sides of an occlusive dressing, the patient's condition deteriorates with decreased breath sounds on the affected side. What should you do?

Answer: Burp or temporarily open the dressing to release trapped air

Burping the dressing releases accumulated air that may be causing a tension pneumothorax under the seal.

During extrication of a trauma patient, you note a deformity of the mid-shaft femur with significant swelling. Your priority intervention before moving the patient is:

Answer: Apply a traction splint to the injured extremity

A traction splint is indicated for mid-shaft femur fractures to reduce pain, blood loss, and neurovascular compromise.

You respond to a patient with a traumatic amputation of the right hand. After controlling hemorrhage, how should you manage the amputated part?

Answer: Wrap in moist sterile dressing, place in plastic bag, keep cool but not frozen

The amputated part should be wrapped in moist sterile gauze, placed in a sealed plastic bag, and kept cool on ice to maximize reimplantation viability.

A motorcyclist struck a guardrail is found unresponsive with helmet in place. When should you remove the helmet?

Answer: Remove only if it prevents proper airway management or ventilation

Helmet removal is indicated when it prevents adequate airway management, ventilation, or assessment, using a two-rescuer technique.

When applying a tourniquet for severe extremity hemorrhage, which placement is correct?

Answer: 2–3 inches proximal to the wound, avoiding joints

The tourniquet should be placed 2–3 inches proximal to the wound, avoiding placement over joints where it cannot generate adequate pressure.

A patient presents with paradoxical chest wall movement affecting multiple rib segments on the left side. This finding is consistent with:

Answer: Flail chest

Flail chest occurs when three or more consecutive ribs are fractured in two or more places, causing a segment to move paradoxically with respiration.

You are treating a patient with a suspected spinal injury who is combative and not following commands. The most appropriate spinal motion restriction approach is:

Answer: Use manual in-line stabilization and apply what devices compliance allows

Manual in-line stabilization should be maintained and spinal restriction applied to the extent the patient tolerates without causing additional harm.