PHTLS Kinematics of Trauma 3

Question 1

How does a high-velocity rifle round produce more tissue damage than a low-velocity handgun round of the same caliber?

Accepted Answer

The rifle bullet's higher velocity exponentially increases kinetic energy transfer and temporary cavitation

Answer

The rifle bullet has greater mass

Answer

The rifle bullet tumbles more during flight

Answer

The rifle bullet expands immediately upon leaving the barrel

Question 2

Yaw and tumbling of a bullet after it enters tissue is significant because it:

Accepted Answer

Increases the surface area presented to tissue, dramatically increasing energy transfer

Answer

Reduces penetration depth

Answer

Allows the bullet to seek vital organs

Answer

Prevents exit wound formation

Question 3

Which PHTLS concept describes the brief window of time during which definitive hemorrhage control and surgical intervention can prevent death from trauma?

Accepted Answer

The golden period

Answer

The platinum ten minutes

Answer

The critical hour

Answer

The resuscitation window

Question 4

In a rollover vehicle collision, the greatest risk to unbelted occupants is:

Accepted Answer

Ejection and subsequent ground impact

Answer

Compression fractures from the roof crush

Answer

Dashboard knee impact from repeated forward motion

Answer

Lateral rib compression from door intrusion

Question 5

Secondary blast injury is caused by:

Accepted Answer

Fragmentation and shrapnel striking the body

Answer

The overpressure wave striking gas-containing organs

Answer

The body being thrown and impacting surfaces

Answer

Burns from the thermal blast wave

Question 6

A patient fell from a ladder and landed feet-first. Based on kinematics, which additional injuries should the provider suspect beyond calcaneus fractures?

Accepted Answer

Tibial plateau fractures, hip fractures, pelvic fractures, lumbar spine compression, and wrist fractures

Answer

Bilateral shoulder dislocations and brachial plexus injury

Answer

Bilateral pneumothorax and tension hemothorax

Answer

Facial fractures and basilar skull fracture

Question 7

Tertiary blast injury results from:

Accepted Answer

The patient being physically displaced and impacting a surface

Answer

Inhalation of toxic gases released by the explosion

Answer

Penetrating fragmentation wounds

Answer

The overpressure wave disrupting hollow organs