PHTLS Kinematics of Trauma 2

Question 1

A lateral (T-bone) impact MVC places the near-side occupant at highest risk for which injury pattern?

Accepted Answer

Ipsilateral rib fractures, clavicle fracture, lateral head impact, and pelvic fractures

Answer

Bilateral femur fractures

Answer

Contralateral rib fractures and aortic shear

Answer

Anterior knee and patella fractures

Question 2

Ejection from a vehicle during a crash is significant because:

Accepted Answer

The risk of death increases approximately 300% compared to non-ejected occupants

Answer

Ejected patients always sustain spinal cord injury

Answer

Ejection protects the patient from interior vehicle deformation

Answer

Seat belt injuries are more severe than ejection injuries

Question 3

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle typically experiences three phases of injury. What is the correct sequence?

Accepted Answer

Vehicle bumper impact → hood/windshield impact → ground impact

Answer

Ground impact → vehicle impact → secondary vehicle impact

Answer

Windshield impact → bumper impact → ground impact

Answer

Airbag impact → hood impact → road impact

Question 4

When evaluating a fall victim, which factor most reliably predicts severe injury potential?

Accepted Answer

Height of the fall

Answer

Age of the patient

Answer

Surface the patient landed on

Answer

Whether the patient lost consciousness

Question 5

Primary blast injury is caused by which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

The overpressure wave passing through the body

Answer

Fragmentation projectiles striking the body

Answer

The body being thrown against a hard surface

Answer

Burns from the fireball

Question 6

Cavitation in penetrating trauma refers to:

Accepted Answer

The temporary or permanent tissue displacement around the projectile path

Answer

Air entering the pleural space through a chest wound

Answer

Collapse of small airways from blunt chest impact

Answer

Gas embolism from vascular injury

Question 7

A motorcycle rider ejected during a crash who slides along the pavement sustains injuries primarily because of which kinematic principle?

Accepted Answer

Deceleration and friction energy exchange

Answer

Compression

Answer

Rotational acceleration

Answer

Gravitational potential energy