Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma Flashcards
6 cards from real TNCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma flashcards as text
A patient with a stab wound to the left chest at the 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line presents with hypotension and muffled heart sounds. The most likely diagnosis is:
Answer: Cardiac tamponade
A penetrating wound in the cardiac box with hypotension and muffled heart sounds strongly suggests cardiac tamponade from pericardial blood accumulation.
Which organ is most commonly injured in blunt abdominal trauma?
Answer: Spleen
The spleen is the most commonly injured abdominal organ in blunt trauma due to its relatively fixed position, vascular nature, and location beneath the left lower ribs.
A patient with blunt chest trauma develops progressive respiratory distress over 24-48 hours with bilateral diffuse infiltrates on chest X-ray. This presentation is most consistent with:
Answer: Pulmonary contusion progressing to ARDS
Pulmonary contusion is a common blunt thoracic injury that typically worsens over 24-48 hours and can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with bilateral infiltrates.
An open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound) should be immediately treated by:
Answer: Applying a three-sided occlusive dressing taped on three sides
A three-sided occlusive dressing creates a flutter-valve effect: it seals the wound during inspiration (preventing air entry) and allows air to escape during expiration (preventing tension pneumothorax development).
A patient with blunt abdominal trauma has a positive FAST exam but is hemodynamically stable with a blood pressure of 128/78. The appropriate next step is:
Answer: CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast for injury grading
A hemodynamically stable patient with a positive FAST exam should undergo CT scanning to grade the injury and guide management, as many solid organ injuries can be managed non-operatively.
Which clinical finding is most specific for esophageal perforation following penetrating neck or chest trauma?
Answer: Mediastinal air on chest X-ray (pneumomediastinum)
Pneumomediastinum (air in the mediastinum) visible on chest X-ray is the most specific radiographic finding for esophageal perforation, as swallowed air and gas-producing bacteria escape into the mediastinal space.