Paramedics Exam Trauma Assessment and Management 5

Question 1

A patient has a sucking chest wound. After applying a vented chest seal, the patient's condition deteriorates with increasing respiratory distress and hypotension. The next step is:

Accepted Answer

Remove or burp the chest seal and reassess for tension pneumothorax

Answer

Deterioration after chest seal application suggests conversion to tension pneumothorax; temporarily lifting (burping) the seal releases trapped air and is the first response.

Question 2

Which pediatric anatomical difference is MOST important to consider when managing a child's airway after blunt head trauma?

Accepted Answer

The occiput is proportionally larger, causing passive neck flexion when supine

Answer

A child's large occiput causes the head to flex forward when supine, potentially obstructing the airway; a padding roll under the shoulders maintains a neutral position.

Question 3

In a patient with suspected spinal injury who is combative and cannot be immobilized safely, the best approach is:

Accepted Answer

Use chemical restraint and then immobilize once sedated

Answer

Chemical restraint followed by appropriate spinal motion restriction is safer than forceful immobilization, which can cause additional injury to both patient and providers.

Question 4

Which wound characteristic from a gunshot wound BEST indicates a high-velocity (rifle) injury versus a low-velocity (handgun) injury?

Accepted Answer

Large irregular exit wound with significant surrounding tissue destruction

Answer

High-velocity rounds transfer far more kinetic energy, creating a temporary cavity and causing large, irregular exit wounds with extensive tissue damage.

Question 5

A construction worker fell onto an impaled rebar through his thigh. Prehospital management of the impaled object should be:

Accepted Answer

Stabilize it in place and control bleeding around it

Answer

Impaled objects should never be removed in the field; they are stabilized in place because removal can cause massive uncontrolled hemorrhage.

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Trauma Assessment and Management 5