ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Thoracic Trauma Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 34-year-old patient presents with a deep penetrating wound to the right chest following an assault. On inspiration, a distinct 'sucking' sound is heard from the wound. The patient is tachypneic and anxious. What is the most appropriate immediate field management for this injury?

Accepted Answer

Applying an occlusive dressing taped on three sides.

Answer

This patient has an open pneumothorax, or 'sucking chest wound.' The immediate priority is to place an occlusive dressing taped on only three sides. This creates a one-way valve effect, allowing air to escape from the pleural space during exhalation but preventing air from entering during inhalation, thus preventing the development of a tension pneumothorax. A chest tube will be required later but is not the first step.

Question 2

A 55-year-old driver involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision presents with severe chest pain and paradoxical movement of the right chest wall. The patient is hypoxic despite receiving high-flow oxygen. What is the primary cause of hypoxemia in a patient with a flail chest?

Accepted Answer

Underlying pulmonary contusion.

Answer

While pain and the paradoxical motion of the chest wall contribute to respiratory compromise, the most significant cause of hypoxemia in flail chest is the associated underlying pulmonary contusion (bruising of the lung). This contusion leads to alveolar hemorrhage and edema, which impairs gas exchange and creates a ventilation/perfusion mismatch.

Question 3

Following the insertion of a large-bore chest tube for a hemothorax in a trauma patient, the initial drainage is 1,600 mL of blood. According to ATLS guidelines, what is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Preparing for an urgent thoracotomy.

Answer

A massive hemothorax is defined by an initial chest tube output of greater than 1,500 mL of blood, or ongoing blood loss of more than 200 mL per hour for 2 to 4 hours. An initial output of 1,600 mL meets the criteria for a massive hemothorax and is an indication for urgent surgical intervention (thoracotomy) to control the source of bleeding.

Question 4

A 28-year-old male is brought in after a stab wound to the left parasternal area. He is hypotensive (BP 80/50 mmHg), has distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds on auscultation. A FAST exam reveals a significant pericardial effusion. What is the most appropriate immediate life-saving intervention?

Accepted Answer

Pericardiocentesis.

Answer

The patient's presentation of Beck's triad (hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds) combined with a penetrating chest wound and positive FAST exam is classic for cardiac tamponade. The immediate, life-saving intervention is pericardiocentesis to relieve the pressure in the pericardial sac and improve cardiac filling and output. While the patient will likely need a thoracotomy, pericardiocentesis is the temporizing measure performed immediately.

Question 5

A trauma patient arrives after a severe deceleration injury. An initial supine AP chest x-ray is performed. Which of the following radiographic findings is most suggestive of a traumatic aortic disruption?

Accepted Answer

A widened mediastinum (>8 cm).

Answer

While rib fractures and hemothorax are common in severe chest trauma, a widened mediastinum is the most classic and suggestive sign of a potential traumatic aortic injury on a supine AP chest x-ray. Other signs include obliteration of the aortic knob and deviation of the trachea to the right, but mediastinal widening is the most frequently cited indicator requiring further investigation with a CT angiogram.

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Thoracic Trauma Questions and Answers