FREE Paramedics Trauma Assessment and Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 22-year-old male presents with a single stab wound to the right side of his chest.
He is anxious, tachycardic at 130 bpm, and hypotensive at 80/50 mmHg.
You note absent breath sounds on the right, jugular vein distention, and tracheal deviation to the left.
What is the most critical immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Perform needle decompression of the right chest.

Answer

Apply a high-flow oxygen mask.

Answer

Apply an occlusive dressing to the chest wound.

Answer

Initiate a rapid fluid bolus with normal saline.

Question 2

You are treating a 45-year-old female who fell from a ladder. She has a decreased level of consciousness (GCS 9) and a fixed and dilated right pupil. Her vital signs are: BP 180/100 mmHg, HR 50 bpm, and an irregular respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute. This presentation is most consistent with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Cushing's triad

Answer

Neurogenic shock

Answer

Beck's triad

Answer

Decompensated hypovolemic shock

Question 3

In the management of a trauma patient with suspected internal, uncontrolled hemorrhage and signs of shock, which of the following fluid resuscitation strategies is most appropriate prior to definitive surgical control?

Accepted Answer

Administer small fluid boluses with the goal of achieving a palpable radial pulse or a systolic blood pressure of 80-90 mmHg.

Answer

Administer two large-bore IVs with fluids wide open to rapidly normalize blood pressure to 120/80 mmHg.

Answer

Withhold all IV fluids until arrival at the hospital to avoid hemodilution.

Answer

Administer vasopressors as the first-line treatment to increase systemic vascular resistance.

Question 4

A 30-year-old unrestrained driver was involved in a high-speed frontal collision. The patient is pale, diaphoretic, and complaining of severe lower abdominal and hip pain. Palpation of the pelvis reveals instability. Vital signs are BP 88/50 mmHg and HR 128 bpm. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?

Accepted Answer

Apply a commercially approved pelvic binder or an improvised sheet sling.

Answer

Log roll the patient onto a long spine board for immobilization.

Answer

Vigorously palpate the pelvis again to confirm the extent of the fracture.

Answer

Place the patient in a position of comfort with knees flexed.

Question 5

A 70 kg adult patient has sustained full-thickness burns to his entire left arm and the anterior trunk. According to the Parkland formula, how much intravenous fluid should be administered in the first 8 hours from the time of the burn?

Accepted Answer

3,780 mL

Answer

2,520 mL

Answer

5,040 mL

Answer

7,560 mL

Question 6

When applying a commercially manufactured windlass-style tourniquet to control massive hemorrhage from a limb, which of the following is the most appropriate procedure?

Accepted Answer

Apply the tourniquet 2-3 inches proximal to the wound and tighten until the distal pulse is absent.

Answer

Place the tourniquet directly over the wound to apply pressure.

Answer

Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding slows to a manageable ooze.

Answer

Loosen the tourniquet every 15 minutes to allow for distal perfusion.