Trauma Practice Questions

Q: A young male presented with dyspnea, bleeding, and petechial hemorrhage in the chest 2 days following a fracture of the shaft of the right femur. What is the most likely cause?

Fat embolism. **Explanation:** The clinical presentation of a long-bone fracture (femur shaft) followed by a **latent period of 24–72 hours**, respiratory distress (dyspnea), and a **petechial rash** (typically over the chest, axilla, and conjunctiva) is the classic triad of **Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)**. **Why Fat Embolism is correct:** Following a major fracture, fat globules from the bone marrow enter the systemic circulation. These globules cause mechanical obstruction of pulmonary capillaries and trigger a chemical inflammatory response (via free fatty acids), leading to lung injury and the characteristic petechial rash due to capillary rupture or thrombocytopenia. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Air Embolism:** Usually occurs acutely following venous catheterization, neck injuries, or surgery. It does not typically present with a petechial rash or a 2-day delay. * **Pulmonary Thrombo-embolism (PTE):** While common in trauma patients due to immobility, PTE usually occurs **5–10 days** post-injury. It lacks the characteristic petechial rash. * **Amniotic Fluid Embolism:** This is an obstetric emergency occurring during labor or immediate postpartum; it is irrelevant to a male patient with a femur fracture. **High-Yield Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Gurd’s Criteria:** Used for diagnosis. Major criteria include axillary/subconjunctival petechiae, respiratory insufficiency, and CNS depression. * **Snowstorm Appearance:** Classic finding on Chest X-ray (diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates). * **Early Fixation:** The most effective way to prevent FES is the early stabilization/fixation of the fracture. * **Treatment:** Primarily supportive (Oxygenation/Ventilation). Steroids are controversial and not routinely recommended.

Q: What is the best management of a contaminated wound with necrotic material?

Debridement. **Explanation:** The primary goal in managing a contaminated wound with necrotic material is the removal of the **nidus for infection**. Necrotic tissue acts as a culture medium for bacteria and prevents the penetration of host immune cells and antibiotics. **1. Why Debridement is the Correct Answer:** Debridement is the definitive surgical management. It involves the removal of foreign bodies, dirt, and devitalized (necrotic) tissue. By converting a contaminated, ragged wound into a clean, surgical one with healthy, bleeding margins, debridement reduces the bacterial load and creates an environment conducive to healing. In surgery, the rule is: *"The solution to pollution is dilution (irrigation) and debridement."* **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Tetanus Toxoid:** While essential for prophylaxis in trauma, it does not treat the wound itself or remove the necrotic material. * **Gas Gangrene Serum:** This is largely of historical interest and is not used for the primary management of contaminated wounds. It does not replace surgical intervention. * **Broad-spectrum Antibiotics:** Antibiotics are an adjunct, not a substitute for surgery. They cannot penetrate necrotic, avascular tissue effectively. Without debridement, antibiotics will fail to clear the infection. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Golden Period:** Ideally, debridement should be performed within 6–8 hours of injury to prevent contamination from turning into established infection. * **Viability Criteria (4 C’s):** When debriding muscle, look for **C**olor (red/pink), **C**ontractility (responds to stimulus), **C**onsistency (firm), and **C**apillary bleeding. * **Management Strategy:** For heavily contaminated wounds, the preferred method is **healing by secondary intention** or **delayed primary closure** (DPC) after the infection is controlled.

Q: What is the name of the emergency thoracotomy procedure illustrated?

Clamshell thoracotomy. ***Clamshell thoracotomy*** - This procedure involves **bilateral anterior thoracotomies** connected across the sternum, creating a "clamshell" appearance with wide exposure of both pleural cavities. - Used in **emergency trauma settings** for cardiac arrest, massive hemothorax, or when bilateral lung access is needed for resuscitation. *Right thoracotomy* - Involves a **single incision** on the right side of the chest, typically through the **4th or 5th intercostal space**. - Provides access to the **right lung**, esophagus, and right-sided mediastinal structures, but lacks bilateral exposure. *Median sternotomy* - Requires **vertical division of the sternum** from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process. - Provides excellent access to the **heart and great vessels** but takes more time and is not ideal for emergency thoracic trauma. *Left thoracotomy* - Involves a **single incision** on the left side, commonly used for emergency **resuscitative thoracotomy**. - Provides rapid access to the **heart for cardiac massage** and aortic cross-clamping, but limited to left-sided structures.

Q: A 70 kg female has 50% burns and an inhalation burn injury. What is the fluid requirement in the first 8 hours according to the Parkland formula?

875 ml/hr. ### Explanation **1. Understanding the Parkland Formula** The Parkland formula is the gold standard for fluid resuscitation in burn patients. It calculates the total volume of Ringer’s Lactate (RL) required in the first 24 hours from the time of injury: * **Formula:** $4 \text{ ml} \times \text{Body Weight (kg)} \times \text{Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) \%}$ * **Calculation:** $4 \times 70 \text{ kg} \times 50\% = 14,000 \text{ ml}$ in 24 hours. **2. Distribution of Fluids** * **First 8 hours:** 50% of the total volume ($14,000 / 2 = 7,000 \text{ ml}$). * **Next 16 hours:** Remaining 50% ($7,000 \text{ ml}$). * **Hourly rate for the first 8 hours:** $7,000 \text{ ml} / 8 \text{ hours} = \mathbf{875 \text{ ml/hr}}$. **3. Analysis of Incorrect Options** * **Option A (625 ml/hr):** This would result from using 3 ml/kg/% (Modified Brooke formula) instead of the standard Parkland 4 ml/kg/%. * **Option B (732 ml/hr):** This is a common calculation error or misapplication of the 24-hour total divided by 24 hours ($14,000 / 24 \approx 583$) plus a slight increase. * **Option D (1000 ml/hr):** This overestimates the requirement and could lead to "fluid creep" and pulmonary edema, especially in elderly patients. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Inhalation Injury:** While the question asks for the Parkland calculation, clinically, inhalation injuries often require **more** fluid than the formula predicts. * **Endpoint of Resuscitation:** The most reliable indicator of adequate fluid resuscitation is **Urine Output (0.5–1 ml/kg/hr in adults)**. * **Fluid of Choice:** Crystalloids (Ringer’s Lactate) are preferred. Colloids are generally avoided in the first 24 hours due to increased capillary permeability. * **Rule of 9s:** Always use Wallace’s Rule of 9s to calculate TBSA; do not include first-degree burns (erythema) in the calculation.

Q: A male patient is admitted following a fall from height. On arrival his Glasgow Coma Scale score is 5/15 and he is therefore intubated. During primary resuscitation, a chest film is taken which shows a widened mediastinum and right-sided deviation of the trachea. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Aortic rupture. ### Explanation **Correct Answer: D. Aortic Rupture** The clinical presentation of a high-energy mechanism (fall from height) combined with specific radiological findings—**widened mediastinum** (>8 cm at the level of the sternal angle) and **right-sided deviation of the trachea**—is a classic triad for **Traumatic Aortic Disruption (Aortic Rupture)**. In blunt trauma, the aorta is most commonly injured at the **isthmus** (just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery) due to tethering by the ligamentum arteriosum, leading to deceleration injury. The hematoma surrounding the injury site displaces the trachea and esophagus to the right and depresses the left mainstem bronchus. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Ruptured Esophagus:** While it can cause pneumomediastinum or a widened mediastinum, it is rare in blunt trauma and typically presents with surgical emphysema or pleural effusion (Boerhaave syndrome). * **Cardiac Tamponade:** This is a clinical diagnosis (Beck’s Triad: hypotension, JVP distension, muffled heart sounds). Radiologically, it may show a "water bottle" heart, but it does not typically cause tracheal deviation or significant mediastinal widening in the acute setting. * **Right Lobe Collapse:** This would cause tracheal deviation *towards* the side of collapse (ipsilateral), not away from it, and would show increased opacity of the affected lung field rather than mediastinal widening. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Most common site of aortic injury:** Aortic Isthmus (90%). * **Gold Standard Investigation:** CT Angiography (CTA) is the investigation of choice in stable patients. * **Chest X-ray signs of Aortic Rupture:** 1. Widened mediastinum (>8 cm). 2. Obliteration of the aortic knob. 3. Deviation of the trachea/esophagus/NG tube to the right. 4. Depression of the left mainstem bronchus (>140°). 5. Left apical pleural cap (extrapleural blood).

Q: What is the management of an open wound seen 12 hours after the injury?

Debridement and suture. ### Explanation The management of an open wound is primarily determined by the **time elapsed since injury** and the **degree of contamination**. **1. Why "Debridement and Suture" is correct:** A wound seen at 12 hours is considered a "contaminated" wound but is often still within the "golden period" (typically up to 6–12 hours for most body parts, and up to 24 hours for the highly vascular face). The standard of care is **thorough debridement** (removal of devitalized tissue and foreign bodies) followed by **primary closure (suturing)**. Debridement converts a contaminated wound into a clean-surgical wound, allowing for primary intention healing, which minimizes scarring and speeds up recovery. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **Suturing (Option A):** Simple suturing without debridement is contraindicated. Closing a wound that contains necrotic tissue or debris traps bacteria, leading to abscess formation and wound dehiscence. * **Secondary Suturing (Option C):** This is performed for infected wounds after 1–2 weeks once granulation tissue has formed. At 12 hours, the wound is contaminated but not yet clinically infected. * **Heal by Granulation (Option D):** Also known as healing by secondary intention. This is reserved for grossly infected wounds or cases with significant tissue loss where edges cannot be apposed. It results in prolonged healing and extensive scarring. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Golden Period of Surgery:** Usually the first 6 hours. During this time, bacterial count is generally below $10^5$ per gram of tissue. * **Facial Wounds:** Can often be primary closed up to 24 hours due to excellent blood supply. * **Delayed Primary Closure:** If a wound is seen after 24 hours or is heavily soiled, it is debrided and left open, then sutured on day 3–5 if no infection appears. * **Tetanus Prophylaxis:** Always check the immunization status in any open trauma case.

Q: A patient admitted to the casualty department after a road traffic accident shows bruising behind the mastoid. This sign is known as?

Battle sign. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Battle sign**. This clinical sign refers to ecchymosis (bruising) over the mastoid process, caused by the extravasation of blood along the path of the posterior auricular artery. **1. Why Battle Sign is Correct:** Battle sign is a classic clinical indicator of a **Basilar Skull Fracture**, specifically involving the **petrous portion of the temporal bone**. It typically appears 1–3 days after the initial trauma. When the skull base fractures, blood tracks through the tissue planes to the retroauricular area. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Prehn sign:** Used in urology to differentiate between acute epididymitis and testicular torsion. A "positive" Prehn sign occurs when physical lifting of the testicles relieves pain (suggestive of epididymitis). * **Catel sign:** (Often confused with Cattell-Braasch maneuver) There is no standard "Catel sign" in trauma surgery; however, the Cattell-Braasch maneuver is a surgical technique for medial visceral rotation to expose the retroperitoneum. * **Dietl’s crisis/sign:** Refers to severe episodic renal pain caused by acute hydronephrosis, often due to a kinking of the ureter in patients with a mobile (wandering) kidney. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls for Basilar Skull Fracture:** * **Raccoon Eyes (Panda Sign):** Periorbital ecchymosis indicating a fracture of the **anterior cranial fossa**. * **CSF Otorrhea/Rhinorrhea:** Leakage of clear fluid; confirm with the **"Halo sign"** on gauze or by testing for **Beta-2 transferrin** (most specific). * **Hemotympanum:** Blood behind the tympanic membrane. * **Management:** Most are managed conservatively; avoid nasogastric (NG) tubes as they may inadvertently enter the cranial vault.

Question 1

If a fracture of the mandible occurs distal to a lost tooth, what is the treatment of choice?

Accepted Answer

Open reduction with bone plating

Answer

Closed reduction with intermaxillary fixation (IMF)

Answer

Open reduction with interosseous wiring

Answer

Closed reduction with cap splint

Question 2

A young male presented with dyspnea, bleeding, and petechial hemorrhage in the chest 2 days following a fracture of the shaft of the right femur. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Fat embolism

Answer

Air embolism

Answer

Pulmonary thrombo-embolism

Answer

Amniotic fluid embolism

Question 3

What is the best management of a contaminated wound with necrotic material?

Accepted Answer

Debridement

Answer

Tetanus toxoid

Answer

Gas gangrene serum

Answer

Broad-spectrum antibiotics

Question 4

What is the name of the emergency thoracotomy procedure illustrated?

Accepted Answer

Clamshell thoracotomy

Answer

Right thoracotomy

Answer

Median sternotomy

Answer

Left thoracotomy

Question 5

A 70 kg female has 50% burns and an inhalation burn injury. What is the fluid requirement in the first 8 hours according to the Parkland formula?

Accepted Answer

875 ml/hr

Answer

625 ml/hr

Answer

732 ml/hr

Answer

1000 ml/hr

Question 6

A patient presents to the emergency department with a stab injury to the left side of the abdomen. She is hemodynamically stable, and a contrast-enhanced CT scan reveals a laceration in the spleen. Laparoscopy is planned; however, the patient's pO2 suddenly drops as soon as pneumoperitoneum is created. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Gaseous embolism through splenic vessels

Answer

Injury to the left lobe of the diaphragm

Answer

Inferior vena cava compression

Answer

Injury to the colon

Question 7

A male patient is admitted following a fall from height. On arrival his Glasgow Coma Scale score is 5/15 and he is therefore intubated. During primary resuscitation, a chest film is taken which shows a widened mediastinum and right-sided deviation of the trachea. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Aortic rupture

Answer

Ruptured esophagus

Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Right lobe collapse

Question 8

A man presented with fractures of 4th to 10th ribs and respiratory distress after a Road Traffic Accident. He is diagnosed to have flail chest. What is the recommended management?

Accepted Answer

IPPV with oral intubation

Answer

Tracheostomy

Answer

Fixation of ribs

Answer

Strapping of chest

Question 9

What is the management of an open wound seen 12 hours after the injury?

Accepted Answer

Debridement and suture

Answer

Suturing

Answer

Secondary suturing

Answer

Heal by granulation

Question 10

A patient admitted to the casualty department after a road traffic accident shows bruising behind the mastoid. This sign is known as?

Accepted Answer

Battle sign

Answer

Prehn sign

Answer

Catel sign

Answer

Dietel's sign

Trauma — MCQs

Trauma — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?