EMS Trauma & Life Support Procedures 3

Question 1

A patient struck by a vehicle has periorbital ecchymosis (raccoon eyes) and Battle's sign. These findings suggest:

Accepted Answer

Basilar skull fracture

Answer

Raccoon eyes and Battle's sign (mastoid ecchymosis) are classic delayed signs of basilar skull fracture.

Question 2

During rapid trauma assessment of an unresponsive patient, you find clear fluid draining from the nose. This is most concerning for:

Accepted Answer

Cerebrospinal fluid leak from basilar skull fracture

Answer

Clear fluid from the nose or ears after head trauma may represent CSF leakage, indicating a basilar skull fracture.

Question 3

You are ventilating an apneic trauma patient with a BVM. Which sign would alert you to possible tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Increasing resistance during BVM ventilation with absent breath sounds on one side

Answer

Progressively increasing resistance to BVM ventilation combined with unilateral absent breath sounds is a key sign of tension pneumothorax.

Question 4

A construction worker fell 20 feet and landed on his feet. After managing immediate life threats, which additional injuries should you specifically assess for?

Accepted Answer

Calcaneal fractures, lumbar compression fractures, and wrist fractures

Answer

A fall landing on the feet (Don Juan mechanism) classically causes calcaneal fractures, lumbar compression fractures, and wrist fractures from outstretched arms.

Question 5

When performing cricothyrotomy (surgical airway), you identify the cricothyroid membrane by locating it:

Accepted Answer

Between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages in the midline

Answer

The cricothyroid membrane lies between the thyroid cartilage superiorly and the cricoid cartilage inferiorly in the midline of the neck.

(EMS) Emergency Medical Services Certified Practice Test

(EMS) Emergency Medical Services Certified Practice Test

EMS Trauma & Life Support Procedures 3