Question 1

What is the height from which an adult fall would meet trauma triage criteria set forth by the CDC?

Accepted Answer

According to the CDC's trauma triage criteria, an adult fall of 20 feet or more would require immediate medical attention. Falls from heights of 10, 15, or 25 feet may also result in severe injuries but do not meet the specific criteria set forth by the CDC.

Question 2

What are three elements of successful trauma care that field practitioners can use which will ultimately translate into greater rates of survival?

Accepted Answer

Teamwork, timing, and transport are critical elements in successful trauma care. Field practitioners need to work together as a team, communicate effectively, and quickly transport patients to appropriate trauma centers for further treatment. Timing is crucial in trauma care, as every minute counts in saving a patient's life. The quality of transport, including the choice between ground ambulances and air helicopters, is also critical in ensuring that the patient receives timely and appropriate care. Ground ambulances are generally used for most trauma cases, while air helicopters are used for more severe trauma cases that require faster transportation. The choice of transport should also consider the distance and accessibility to trauma centers.

Question 3

You are on the scene of a 50-year-old male who lacerated his arm on a sheet of plate glass.He is pale,diaphoretic,and mumbling incoherently.You have controlled an arterial bleed with direct pressure.His blood pressure is 70/40,pulse 120,and respiratory rate of 28.Which of the following signs is the most concerning?

Accepted Answer

The most concerning sign is the low blood pressure of 70/40, which indicates that the patient may be going into shock. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate action to maintain perfusion to the vital organs. The other signs are also concerning, but the low blood pressure takes priority.

Question 4

Multiple trauma and multisystem trauma patients are situations in which the EMT is expected to perform which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Multiple trauma and multisystem trauma patients require the EMT to anticipate and treat problems with a greater level of complexity than usual. This may include managing multiple injuries or dealing with a variety of medical emergencies simultaneously. Providing the best quality care possible, including definitive care on-scene, is also important, but it is a standard expectation for all patient encounters. Responding above and beyond the call of duty and practicing outside the scope of practice are never acceptable behaviors for an EMT, regardless of the patient's condition.

Question 5

What is the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS)measurement of altered mental status,which according to CDC guidelines necessitates transport to a trauma center?

Accepted Answer

According to CDC guidelines, a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 13 or lower is an indication for transport to a trauma center, as it reflects a significant alteration in mental status.

Question 6

What type of trauma triage criteria regarding transport would a finger amputation receive?

Accepted Answer

A finger amputation would typically require surgical intervention, making a hospital with surgical facilities the most appropriate destination. A trauma center may not necessarily be required for this type of injury, as long as the hospital has the appropriate medical capabilities. However, patient choice and on-line medical direction should also be considered.

Question 7

Based on the following presentations of patient injuries,which one would be considered MOST severe,justifying immediate transportation to a trauma center?

Accepted Answer

Flail chest is a serious injury that occurs when multiple ribs are fractured in two or more places, causing a segment of the chest wall to become detached from the rest of the chest. This can impair breathing and cause a decrease in oxygen levels, making it a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate stabilization and transfer to a trauma center for definitive care. The other injuries listed are also significant, but may not require immediate transport to a trauma center depending on the severity and extent of the injury.

Question 8

What is the definition of multiple trauma?

Accepted Answer

Multiple trauma refers to a situation where a patient has more than one serious injury, often affecting different parts of the body.

Question 9

A respiratory rate of less than ________ and greater than ________ in cases of trauma are criteria for immediate transportation to a trauma center according to the CDC physiologic guidelines.

Accepted Answer

According to the CDC physiologic guidelines, a respiratory rate of less than 10 or greater than 29 in cases of trauma are criteria for immediate transportation to a trauma center. Therefore, option B (10; 29) is the correct answer. The other options are either too low (option A and D) or too narrow (option C) to cover the range specified by the CDC guidelines.

Question 10

What trauma triage guidelines did the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)release in order to guide the most injured patients into trauma centers?

Accepted Answer

The trauma triage guidelines released by the CDC include Physiological determinants, anatomic criteria, and mechanism of injury as the criteria for guiding the most injured patients into trauma centers.

Question 11

Which one of the following patients would justify the need to directly transport to a trauma center based on special patient considerations?

Accepted Answer

A pregnant female in the third trimester who is showing small amounts of vaginal bleeding after a low mechanism of injury MVC needs to be transported directly to a trauma center due to the potential risk to both the mother and baby. The other patients may also require advanced medical care, but do not necessarily require transport to a trauma center based on their specific conditions.

Question 12

What is the most important intervention an EMT can perform for an unstable multisystem trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

Rapid transport is crucial for unstable multisystem trauma patients to ensure they receive definitive care at a trauma center as quickly as possible.

Question 13

You are the first on the scene of a two-car vehicle collision.Your patient is a front passenger who is unresponsive inside the vehicle.The patient is trapped and the vehicle is on fire.The fire department is still en route.You should:

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are the first on the scene...

Question 14

Which trauma patient is the most critical?

Accepted Answer

Patient with decerebrate posturing is the most critical because it indicates severe brain injury.

Question 15

What are some of the most important critical decisions an EMT can make on the scene of a serious trauma?

Accepted Answer

Determining patient priority, amount of time on-scene, and hospital transport decision are all critical decisions an EMT can make on the scene of a serious trauma.

Question 16

What is the definition of multisystem trauma?

Accepted Answer

Multisystem trauma refers to a type of trauma in which multiple injuries affect more than one body system. This can include injuries to the respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems, among others.

Answer: B 
 Another definition of multisystem trauma is trauma in which the patient has more than one serious injury. This can include injuries to different parts of the body or injuries that affect different body systems.

Answer: None of the above 
 Choices C and D are not accurate definitions of multisystem trauma. Multiple casualties or the response of multiple agencies may be involved in a multisystem trauma incident, but these factors alone do not define the type of trauma experienced by the patient.

Question 17

You are dispatched to a multiple vehicle collision on a busy interstate highway.Your crew identifies a critical patient entrapped in a small sedan with significant intrusion into the occupant area on the front and left side.One of your crew members,dressed in fully protective gear,volunteers to enter the vehicle to begin assessment and treatment.Given that access to the patient is limited,you tell him to concentrate on assessing which of the following parts of the patient's body?

Accepted Answer

In a scenario involving significant intrusion into the occupant area of a vehicle, the priority is to assess areas most likely to be affected by the impact and where critical injuries are likely to occur. The head, chest, and torso are key areas to evaluate for life-threatening injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, thoracic injuries (including pneumothorax, hemothorax, and cardiac tamponade), and abdominal injuries (which may involve damage to internal organs). These assessments can provide crucial information on the patient's condition and guide immediate treatment priorities.

Question 18

Which patient is the most unstable?

Accepted Answer

The unresponsive patient with hypotension is the most unstable because they are not responding and have low blood pressure, which can lead to organ failure and death if not treated urgently.

Question 19

You respond to a 22-year-old male patient who fell while exiting the local bar.Bystanders state he drank at least 10 beers and could not keep his balance.Physical exam reveals that the patient is alert to verbal stimuli only.He has a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3,4,6; slurred speech; and an obvious scalp laceration to the back of his head.He is refusing treatment and transport and wants his friends to drive him home.The nearest hospital is 5 minutes away,a Level II Trauma Center is 10 minutes away,and a Level I Full Service Trauma Center is 30 minutes away.Which of these is the most appropriate facility for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Given the patient's condition, including a Glasgow Coma Scale score indicating altered mental status, slurred speech, and a scalp laceration, he requires evaluation at a trauma center. The Level II Trauma Center is the most appropriate choice because it can provide comprehensive trauma care and is closer than the Level I Center, making it a suitable option given the patient's urgent needs.

Question 20

Which one of the following is NOT a key decision for the EMT when faced with a multisystem or multiple trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

All of the other options are important decisions that an EMT must make when faced with a multisystem or multiple trauma patient. A trauma center may be better equipped to handle the patient's injuries, minimizing on-scene time can be vital to getting the patient help quickly, and assessing the severity of the injuries is crucial for determining appropriate treatment. Allowing police to interview the patient on-scene is a decision that is not directly related to the patient's medical care and can be delayed until after the patient has been transported to the hospital.

Quiz 30: Multisystem Trauma