PHTLS Spinal Trauma Management 4

Question 1

A patient with a cervical collar in place develops increasing respiratory distress after trauma. What complication related to the cervical collar should be considered?

Accepted Answer

Cervical collar causing jugular vein compression increasing ICP

Answer

Excessively tight cervical collars can compress the jugular veins, impairing venous drainage and raising intracranial pressure, which is especially dangerous in head-injured patients.

Question 2

Which mechanism of injury carries the HIGHEST risk of unstable cervical spine injury according to PHTLS?

Accepted Answer

Axial loading with flexion (diving into shallow water)

Answer

Axial loading with flexion, such as diving into shallow water, creates compressive and flexion forces that commonly produce unstable burst or wedge fractures.

Question 3

When managing a patient with suspected spinal injury who requires airway intervention, what is the PREFERRED prehospital airway technique?

Accepted Answer

Orotracheal intubation with manual in-line stabilization

Answer

Orotracheal intubation with manual in-line stabilization maintains the airway while minimizing cervical spine movement and is the preferred PHTLS approach.

Question 4

A conscious trauma patient has priapism. In the context of spinal trauma, this sign indicates:

Accepted Answer

Autonomic dysfunction from spinal cord injury

Answer

Priapism in a male trauma patient indicates loss of inhibitory sympathetic control from a spinal cord injury, causing uncontrolled parasympathetic stimulation.

Question 5

During rapid extrication of a critically injured patient, which condition JUSTIFIES accelerating the process despite potential spinal risk?

Accepted Answer

Scene is becoming unsafe or patient has a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention

Answer

PHTLS allows rapid extrication when the scene becomes unsafe or when the patient has an immediately life-threatening condition that cannot be managed in place.

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS Spinal Trauma Management 4