Paramedics Trauma Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 25-year-old male is found unresponsive after being ejected from a vehicle.
His vital signs are BP 180/100 mmHg, HR 50 bpm, and an irregular breathing pattern is noted.
His right pupil is dilated and non-reactive.
These findings are most indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Cushing's Triad, indicating increased intracranial pressure

Answer

Decompensated hemorrhagic shock

Answer

Beck's Triad, indicating cardiac tamponade

Answer

Neurogenic shock from a spinal cord injury

Question 2

You are treating a patient with a deep junctional wound in the groin that is not amenable to a tourniquet. Direct pressure is failing to control severe arterial bleeding. According to TCCC and modern trauma guidelines, what is the most appropriate next intervention?

Accepted Answer

Pack the wound with a hemostatic gauze and hold firm pressure.

Answer

Immediately clamp the visible bleeding vessel with a hemostat.

Answer

Apply a second, wider tourniquet as high as possible.

Answer

Cover the wound with an occlusive dressing and transport rapidly.

Question 3

Which of the following is the most critical initial step in the prehospital management of a patient with extensive full-thickness burns covering their chest and abdomen after being removed from a fire?

Accepted Answer

Assessing for and managing signs of airway compromise or inhalation injury.

Answer

Calculating the TBSA for fluid resuscitation.

Answer

Administering a narcotic analgesic for pain control.

Answer

Applying sterile, wet dressings to cool the burned areas.

Question 4

You are assessing a 40-year-old male who was the restrained driver in a high-speed MVC. He complains of left upper quadrant abdominal pain that radiates to his left shoulder. He is tachycardic and hypotensive. This specific pattern of referred pain is known as Kehr's sign and is highly suggestive of what injury?

Accepted Answer

Splenic injury

Answer

Lacerated liver

Answer

Ruptured diaphragm

Answer

Mesenteric tear

Question 5

When treating a patient with a suspected unstable pelvic fracture, which intervention is most appropriate for prehospital stabilization?

Accepted Answer

Applying a pelvic binder or improvised sheet wrap centered over the greater trochanters.

Answer

Applying a traction splint to the more injured lower extremity.

Answer

Log-rolling the patient frequently to assess the posterior.

Answer

Placing the patient on a long spine board for immobilization.

Question 6

A 34-year-old male presents with a single stab wound to the right side of his chest. He is anxious, with a respiratory rate of 36, a heart rate of 130, and a BP of 88/60. You note absent breath sounds on the right and jugular vein distention. What is the most appropriate and immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Needle decompression of the right chest.

Answer

Rapid fluid bolus of 1 liter of normal saline.

Answer

Application of an occlusive dressing over the chest wound.

Answer

Immediate endotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation.