TNCC Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma 3

Question 1

A patient with left lower rib fractures (ribs 9-12) should be evaluated for injury to which organ?

Accepted Answer

Spleen

Answer

Right kidney

Answer

Liver

Answer

Gallbladder

Question 2

Tracheobronchial injury following blunt chest trauma should be suspected when:

Accepted Answer

A chest tube has been placed but there is a persistent large air leak and the lung fails to re-expand

Answer

A chest tube has been placed and the patient's respiratory status improves immediately

Answer

The patient has isolated rib fractures with no pneumothorax

Answer

Oxygen saturation normalizes after supplemental oxygen alone

Question 3

A patient with a deceleration injury has a widened mediastinum on chest X-ray. This finding is most concerning for:

Accepted Answer

Traumatic aortic disruption

Answer

Pulmonary contusion

Answer

Simple pneumothorax

Answer

Rib fractures

Question 4

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is considered positive for significant intra-abdominal hemorrhage when the red blood cell count exceeds:

Accepted Answer

100,000/mm³

Answer

10,000/mm³

Answer

50,000/mm³

Answer

500,000/mm³

Question 5

A patient presents after a motor vehicle collision with a rigid, distended abdomen, absent bowel sounds, and involuntary guarding. These findings are most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Peritonitis from hollow viscus perforation

Answer

Isolated kidney contusion

Answer

Mild abdominal wall contusion

Answer

Adrenal hemorrhage

Question 6

Which injury should be suspected in a trauma patient with Kehr's sign (left shoulder pain) following blunt abdominal trauma?

Accepted Answer

Splenic injury with diaphragmatic irritation

Answer

Left rotator cuff tear

Answer

Cervical spine fracture with radiculopathy

Answer

Left pneumothorax