Trauma Management & Injury Care Flashcards

A trail runner has a deep laceration on the palm with brisk bleeding. After controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure, the wound cannot be closed in the field. Your best management is:

Answer: Pack the wound with sterile gauze, apply a pressure dressing, and splint the hand

Packing with sterile gauze and applying a pressure dressing controls ongoing bleeding; splinting the hand limits movement that can disrupt the clot.

In OEC, the mechanism of injury (MOI) is most useful for:

Answer: Predicting which injuries may be present even before examination

MOI guides the rescuer to suspect injuries that may not yet have visible signs, directing a thorough head-to-toe assessment.

A skier found at the base of a cliff has an obvious deformity of the pelvis. Which action is contraindicated?

Answer: Repeated palpation of the iliac wings to confirm instability

Repeated palpation of an unstable pelvis can disrupt clots and worsen massive internal hemorrhage.

Which of the following is the MOST reliable field sign of a tension pneumothorax?

Answer: Absent breath sounds on the injured side

Absent or severely diminished breath sounds on the affected side is the most consistently present and detectable sign in the field.

A patient has an impaled object in the thigh. Correct field management is to:

Answer: Leave the object untouched and immobilize it with bulky dressings

Impaled objects tamponade bleeding; removing them can cause sudden massive hemorrhage, so stabilize in place with bulky dressings.

Which burn pattern on a child's back and buttocks in an outdoor rescue should raise concern for non-accidental trauma?

Answer: Sharply demarcated immersion burns in a stocking distribution

Sharply demarcated immersion (scald) burns in a stocking or glove pattern are classic indicators of intentional injury in children.

When splinting a suspected ankle fracture in the field, the joint should be immobilized:

Answer: In the position of function (90° neutral/slight dorsiflexion)

The position of function for the ankle (approximately 90°) maintains optimal blood flow and tissue alignment during transport.