TSS Critical Care & Stabilization 5

Question 1

Using the Parkland formula, how much fluid should a 70 kg adult with 30% TBSA burns receive in the first 8 hours?

Accepted Answer

4,200 mL

Answer

4 mL × 70 kg × 30% equals 8,400 mL over 24 hours, and half (4,200 mL) is given in the first 8 hours from the time of injury.

Question 2

What is the appropriate prehospital treatment for an open (sucking) chest wound?

Accepted Answer

Vented chest seal or three-sided occlusive dressing

Answer

A vented or three-sided dressing lets air escape and prevents a tension pneumothorax from developing.

Question 3

Which initial chest tube output suggests a massive hemothorax that may need operative thoracotomy?

Accepted Answer

1,500 mL or more of immediate blood output

Answer

An immediate return of 1,500 mL or more, or continued output above 200 mL/h for 2–4 hours, is a typical trigger for thoracotomy.

Question 4

A patient with a cervical spinal cord injury stays hypotensive after appropriate fluid resuscitation, and hemorrhage has been ruled out. What is the next step?

Accepted Answer

Vasopressor support such as norepinephrine

Answer

Neurogenic shock is a problem of lost vascular tone, so vasopressors are needed once volume has been replaced.

Question 5

What is the main purpose of the FAST exam in an unstable trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

Detecting free fluid in the pericardium and peritoneum

Answer

FAST quickly finds hemoperitoneum or pericardial fluid at the bedside to guide decisions about surgery.

TSS - Trauma-Skilled Specialist Certification Practice Test

TSS - Trauma-Skilled Specialist Certification Practice Test

TSS Critical Care & Stabilization 5