Trauma — MCQs
On this page
A patient presents with blunt trauma to abdomen. On investigations patient is found to have hepatic injury which has a ruptured subcapsular hematoma with active bleeding. What is the grade of liver injury?
Enophthalmos is seen in ?
A blowout fracture of the orbit most commonly leads to a fracture in which part?
What is the percentage body surface area involved in head and neck in burns?
In blunt chest trauma, the first step in management after initial resuscitation is
Patient comes with crush injury to upper limb, doctor is concerned about gangrene and sepsis. What scoring system can help decide between amputation and limb salvage?
A patient with a gunshot wound to the thorax has lost 1900 ml of blood and is losing 200 ml of blood per hour. What is the next step in management?
Curling's ulcer is seen in -
What is the primary treatment for rib fractures?
A 27 year old patient presented with left sided abdominal pain 6 hours after RTA. He was hemodynamically stable and FAST positive. CT scan showed grade III splenic injury. What will be appropriate treatment
Trauma Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1131: A patient presents with blunt trauma to abdomen. On investigations patient is found to have hepatic injury which has a ruptured subcapsular hematoma with active bleeding. What is the grade of liver injury?
- A. Grade I
- B. Grade IV (Correct Answer)
- C. Grade II
- D. Grade III
Explanation: ***Grade IV*** - A **ruptured subcapsular hematoma with active bleeding** is classified as **Grade IV** in the **American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) liver injury grading scale** - The key feature is **active bleeding** from the ruptured hematoma, which indicates ongoing hemorrhage requiring immediate intervention - This distinguishes it from Grade III, where the hematoma may be ruptured but without documented active bleeding - **Grade IV injuries involve 25-75% hepatic lobe disruption or active bleeding from ruptured hematomas** *Grade I* - Involves **subcapsular hematoma <10%** surface area or **capsular tear/parenchymal laceration <1 cm depth** - No active bleeding or hematoma rupture - Represents minimal injury typically managed conservatively *Grade II* - Involves **subcapsular hematoma 10-50%** surface area, **intraparenchymal hematoma <10 cm**, or **laceration 1-3 cm depth and <10 cm length** - No rupture or active bleeding - More significant than Grade I but still relatively stable *Grade III* - Involves **subcapsular hematoma >50%** surface area or expanding, **ruptured subcapsular/parenchymal hematoma without active bleeding**, **intraparenchymal hematoma >10 cm** or expanding, or **laceration >3 cm depth** - The critical difference from Grade IV is the **absence of documented active bleeding** in a ruptured hematoma - In this patient, the presence of active bleeding elevates the injury to Grade IV
Question 1132: Enophthalmos is seen in ?
- A. Hyperthyroidism
- B. Radiation Injuries
- C. Diabetes mellitus
- D. Blow-out fracture of orbit wall (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Blow-out fracture of orbit wall*** - A **blow-out fracture** typically involves the **orbital floor** or **medial wall**, expanding the orbital volume. - This increase in orbital volume allows the eyeball to drop back into the orbit, causing **enophthalmos**. *Hyperthyroidism* - Hyperthyroidism, particularly **Graves' ophthalmopathy**, is associated with **exophthalmos** (protrusion of the eyeballs), not enophthalmos. - This is due to inflammation and edema of the **retro-orbital tissues** and extraocular muscles. *Radiation Injuries* - While radiation to the orbital region can cause various ocular complications, **enophthalmos** is not a common direct sequela. - Such injuries might lead to tissue scarring, but orbital volume changes leading to enophthalmos are atypical. *Diabetes mellitus* - Diabetes mellitus can lead to various ocular complications like **diabetic retinopathy** and **cataracts**, but not typically enophthalmos. - There is no direct mechanism by which diabetes would cause the eyeball to recede into the orbit.
Question 1133: A blowout fracture of the orbit most commonly leads to a fracture in which part?
- A. Roof of the orbit
- B. Orbital floor (Correct Answer)
- C. Lateral wall of the orbit
- D. Medial wall
Explanation: ***Orbital floor*** - The **orbital floor** is the thinnest wall of the orbit, making it the most vulnerable to fracture during a blowout injury. - Composed mainly of the **maxillary bone**, its weakness allows the pressure from an impact to transmit through the globe, fracturing into the **maxillary sinus** below. *Medial wall* - While the **medial wall** is also thin, it is generally considered stronger than the floor and less frequently involved in isolated blowout fractures. - Fracture of the medial wall would typically involve the **ethmoid sinuses**. *Roof of the orbit* - The **orbital roof** is formed by the frontal bone, which is significantly thicker and more robust than the orbital floor. - Fractures of the orbital roof usually require a **direct, high-force impact** to the superior orbital rim, not typically seen in a classic blowout injury. *Lateral wall of the orbit* - The **lateral wall** of the orbit is the thickest and strongest part of the orbital bones, largely composed of the zygomatic bone. - Fractures here are uncommon in a typical blowout mechanism and usually result from **severe direct trauma** to the side of the orbit.
Question 1134: What is the percentage body surface area involved in head and neck in burns?
- A. 9% (Correct Answer)
- B. 13%
- C. 15%
- D. 17%
Explanation: ***Correct: 9%*** - The **Rule of Nines**, a common method for estimating burn size in adults, assigns **9% to the entire head and neck region**. - This estimation is crucial for determining fluid resuscitation needs and overall burn management according to the Parkland formula. *Incorrect: 13%* - This percentage is not consistent with the established **Rule of Nines** for any specific body part in adults. - It might be closer to the head and neck percentage in young children (approximately 18% for infants), where the head is proportionally larger. *Incorrect: 15%* - This value does not correspond to a standard burn percentage for the head and neck according to the **Rule of Nines**. - It is significantly higher than the accepted estimate for this body region in adults. *Incorrect: 17%* - This is a disproportionately high percentage for the head and neck area under the **Rule of Nines**. - Such a value would not be used in adult burn assessments for this specific anatomical region.
Question 1135: In blunt chest trauma, the first step in management after initial resuscitation is
- A. CT scan
- B. Angiography
- C. X-ray chest (Correct Answer)
- D. USG
Explanation: ***X-ray chest*** - After initial resuscitation in **blunt chest trauma**, a chest X-ray is the **fastest and most accessible initial imaging modality** to identify life-threatening injuries like **pneumothorax, hemothorax, or major fractures**. - It helps guide immediate interventions and further diagnostic steps by providing crucial information about the **lungs, heart, and bony structures**. *CT scan* - A CT scan provides **more detailed anatomical information** but is generally performed **after initial stabilization** and a plain chest X-ray. It's not the very first imaging step. - While it can detect injuries missed by X-ray, its **time commitment and resource requirements** make it suboptimal for immediate, life-saving decision-making in the initial trauma phase. *Angiography* - Angiography is an **invasive procedure** used to visualize blood vessels, typically reserved for suspected **vascular injuries** identified or highly suggested by other imaging or clinical findings. - It is **not a routine first step** in the immediate management of blunt chest trauma and carries its own risks. *USG* - Ultrasound (USG) can be useful in trauma for detecting **pericardial effusion** (**FAST exam**) or **pleural fluid**, but it offers **limited visualization of the entire chest cavity** compared to X-ray. - It is typically used as an **adjunct** or for specific questions, not as the primary comprehensive initial imaging in blunt chest trauma.
Question 1136: Patient comes with crush injury to upper limb, doctor is concerned about gangrene and sepsis. What scoring system can help decide between amputation and limb salvage?
- A. Glasgow Coma Scale
- B. MESS (Correct Answer)
- C. Gustilo Anderson classification
- D. ASIA guidelines
Explanation: ***MESS*** - The **Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS)** is a widely used scoring system to assess the severity of limb injuries and predict the need for **amputation**. - It considers factors like **skeletal/soft tissue injury**, **limb ischemia**, **shock**, and **age** to guide management decisions. *Glasgow Coma Scale* - The **Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)** is used to assess a patient's level of **consciousness** following a traumatic brain injury or other neurological insults. - It has no relevance in evaluating the severity of a **crush injury** to a limb or guiding decisions between amputation and limb salvage. *Gustilo Anderson classification* - The **Gustilo-Anderson classification** is used to categorize **open fractures** based on the extent of soft tissue damage, wound size, and contamination. - While it helps in assessing the **severity of an open fracture** and guiding initial treatment, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment for limb salvage versus amputation decision-making as MESS does. *ASIA guidelines* - The **ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale** is used to classify the severity of **spinal cord injuries**. - It evaluates sensory and motor function to determine the level and completeness of a spinal cord injury, which is unrelated to the assessment of a **crush injury** for limb salvage.
Question 1137: A patient with a gunshot wound to the thorax has lost 1900 ml of blood and is losing 200 ml of blood per hour. What is the next step in management?
- A. Blood transfusion
- B. Thoracotomy (Correct Answer)
- C. PPV
- D. FFP
Explanation: ***Thoracotomy*** - **Thoracotomy** is the definitive surgical intervention indicated for this patient. - **Indications for emergency thoracotomy in chest trauma:** - Initial chest tube output **>1500 mL** (this patient has 1900 mL) ✓ - Ongoing bleeding **>200 mL/hour for 2-4 consecutive hours** - This patient meets the **primary indication** with >1500 mL initial blood loss, requiring immediate surgical control of hemorrhage. - Direct visualization and repair of the bleeding source is critical for survival in life-threatening thoracic hemorrhage. *Blood transfusion* - While **blood transfusions** are essential for replacing lost blood volume and must be initiated, they do not address the source of ongoing hemorrhage. - Resuscitation alone without surgical control of active bleeding will be futile. - Blood transfusion should be given **simultaneously** while preparing for thoracotomy, not as an alternative. *PPV* - **Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV)** is a supportive measure for respiratory failure but does not stop active bleeding in the chest. - It may be used as part of resuscitation, but it is not the definitive management for severe hemorrhage. - Can be part of peri-operative support during thoracotomy. *FFP* - **Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)** provides clotting factors and is used to correct coagulopathy in massive transfusion protocols. - Like blood transfusion, FFP does not control the active bleeding source and should be administered **in conjunction with** definitive surgical intervention. - Used in 1:1:1 ratio with PRBC and platelets in massive transfusion protocol.
Question 1138: Curling's ulcer is seen in -
- A. Burn patients (Correct Answer)
- B. Patients with head injuries
- C. Zollinger Ellison syndrome
- D. Analgesic drug abuse
Explanation: ***Burn patients*** - **Curling's ulcer** is an acute **gastric or duodenal ulcer** that develops in patients following severe burns. - The pathogenesis is thought to involve reduced plasma volume, leading to **mucosal ischemia** and **acid hypersecretion**. *Patients with head injuries* - Patients with **head injuries** are more prone to developing **Cushing's ulcers**, which are also acute stress ulcers but result from increased **intracranial pressure** leading to vagal stimulation and acid hypersecretion. - **Cushing's ulcers** are specifically linked to central nervous system trauma or disease, not burns. *Zollinger Ellison syndrome* - **Zollinger-Ellison syndrome** is characterized by multiple, refractory **peptic ulcers** due to a **gastrin-secreting tumor** (gastrinoma), causing extreme **acid hypersecretion**. - These ulcers are typically chronic and recurrent, distinct from the acute stress-induced ulcers seen in burn patients. *Analgesic drug abuse* - **Analgesic drug abuse**, particularly with **NSAIDs**, can cause **peptic ulcers** by inhibiting **prostaglandin synthesis**, which normally protects the gastric mucosa. - These ulcers are chemically induced and chronic, rather than being acute stress ulcers associated with burns.
Question 1139: What is the primary treatment for rib fractures?
- A. Immediate thoracotomy
- B. IPPV
- C. Analgesics (Correct Answer)
- D. Both IPPV and analgesics
Explanation: ***Analgesics*** - **Pain control** is the cornerstone of rib fracture management, as it allows for adequate breathing and prevents complications like **atelectasis** and **pneumonia**. - Effective analgesia can range from oral medications to **intercostal nerve blocks** or **epidural anesthesia**, depending on the severity of pain. *Immediate thoracotomy* - **Thoracotomy** is an invasive surgical procedure typically reserved for life-threatening conditions such as **massive hemothorax**, **cardiac tamponade**, or severe **tracheobronchial injury**. - It is not the primary treatment for isolated rib fractures, which usually heal with conservative management. *IPPV* - **Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (IPPV)** is a form of mechanical ventilation used in cases of **respiratory failure**, often due to flail chest or severe pulmonary contusion. - While it may be necessary in complex rib fracture scenarios causing respiratory compromise, it is not the initial or primary treatment for uncomplicated rib fractures. *Both IPPV and analgesics* - While **analgesics** are crucial, **IPPV** is not routinely indicated for all rib fractures. - IPPV is reserved for cases where respiratory compromise is significant, such as a **flail chest** leading to ventilatory failure, making "both" not the primary or universal treatment.
Question 1140: A 27 year old patient presented with left sided abdominal pain 6 hours after RTA. He was hemodynamically stable and FAST positive. CT scan showed grade III splenic injury. What will be appropriate treatment
- A. Conservative management
- B. Splenic artery embolization (Correct Answer)
- C. Splenectomy
- D. Splenorrhaphy
Explanation: ***Splenic artery embolization*** - This patient is **hemodynamically stable** with a **Grade III splenic injury**, making him a candidate for non-operative management with adjunctive intervention. - **Grade III splenic injuries** have a higher failure rate with observation alone due to deeper lacerations (>3 cm) and involvement of trabecular vessels. - **FAST positive** indicates hemoperitoneum, suggesting significant bleeding has occurred, which increases the risk of delayed hemorrhage. - **Splenic artery embolization (SAE)** is the **current standard of care** for hemodynamically stable patients with Grade III-IV splenic injuries, as it significantly reduces the failure rate of non-operative management while preserving the spleen. - SAE provides targeted hemostasis by blocking bleeding vessels while maintaining overall splenic function and avoiding the risks of splenectomy. *Conservative management (observation alone)* - While **non-operative management** is appropriate for stable patients, **observation alone without SAE** is more suitable for **Grade I-II injuries**. - For **Grade III injuries**, conservative management alone has a **higher failure rate** (10-20%) compared to SAE + observation (failure rate <5%). - Modern trauma guidelines recommend adjunctive SAE for Grade III-IV injuries to improve success rates and reduce need for delayed splenectomy. *Splenorrhaphy* - **Splenorrhaphy** (surgical repair) requires laparotomy and is more invasive than angioembolization. - Reserved for hemodynamically unstable patients requiring laparotomy for other injuries, where spleen preservation is attempted. - Not the first choice for isolated splenic injury in a stable patient when less invasive options are available. *Splenectomy* - **Splenectomy** is reserved for **hemodynamically unstable patients** with uncontrolled hemorrhage or very high-grade injuries (Grade IV-V) that fail non-operative management. - This patient is **stable**, making splenectomy unnecessarily aggressive and exposing him to risks of **overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI)**. - Should be avoided when spleen-preserving options are feasible.
Practice by Chapter
Initial Assessment of Trauma Patient
Practice Questions
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Principles
Practice Questions
Chest Trauma
Practice Questions
Abdominal Trauma
Practice Questions
Head Trauma
Practice Questions
Spinal Trauma
Practice Questions
Extremity Trauma
Practice Questions
Vascular Trauma
Practice Questions
Genitourinary Trauma
Practice Questions
Burns Management
Practice Questions
Mass Casualty Management
Practice Questions
Damage Control Surgery
Practice Questions
Want unlimited practice?
Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.
Start For Free