Trauma Practice Questions

Q: A child comes after a train accident with stable vitals but a big laceration on the leg. Which triage category does the patient come under?

Yellow. ***Yellow (Correct Answer)*** - This category is used for casualties with **serious, non-life-threatening injuries** who require medical attention but whose treatment can be **delayed** for a few hours without causing immediate death or major morbidity. - A stable patient following trauma, despite having a **big laceration**, is categorized as Yellow because the immediate risk to life (indicated by **stable vitals**) is low, allowing for prioritized care after Red category patients are addressed. - The combination of **stable vitals + significant injury** = Yellow/Delayed category. *Red (Incorrect)* - This category is reserved for patients needing **immediate life-saving intervention** (within minutes), such as those with unstable vitals, airway obstruction, or uncontrolled severe hemorrhage leading to shock. - Since the patient has **stable vitals** (implying adequate circulation and respiration), they do not meet the criteria for immediate criticality required for the Red category. *Green (Incorrect)* - Green is assigned to the **'walking wounded'** or minor injuries like sprains, abrasions, or small cuts, where definitive treatment can be delayed indefinitely. - A **"big laceration"** implies a significant injury needing prompt management, ruling out the minor nature associated with the Green category. *Black (Incorrect)* - This category is for patients who are either confirmed **deceased** or have catastrophic injuries where survival is deemed highly unlikely (expectant categorization), and resources are better spent on higher priority patients. - Given the child has **stable vitals** and is salvageable with appropriate care, this category is inappropriate.

Q: A 30-year-old male presented to EMT with H/o Penetrating chest trauma. On examination, severe tracheal deviation was present. What is the immediate step of management?

Needle decompression. ***Needle decompression*** - The presence of **tracheal deviation** in a patient with penetrating chest trauma is a hallmark sign of a **tension pneumothorax**, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention. - Needle decompression is the emergent, life-saving procedure performed to relieve the intrathoracic pressure by allowing the trapped air to escape, thereby correcting the mediastinal shift and restoring hemodynamic stability. *Chest X-ray* - A chest X-ray is a diagnostic tool used to confirm a pneumothorax but should **not** delay treatment in a hemodynamically unstable patient with clear clinical signs of tension. - Waiting for radiological confirmation in this emergency scenario can lead to cardiovascular collapse and death; the diagnosis is made clinically. *E-FAST* - The **Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (E-FAST)** can rapidly diagnose a pneumothorax at the bedside by showing an absence of **lung sliding**. - However, like a chest X-ray, it is a diagnostic step. In a patient with obvious signs of tension, proceeding directly to decompression is the priority over further imaging. *O2 support at 100%* - While supplemental oxygen is a crucial part of resuscitation in any trauma patient to treat hypoxia, it does not address the underlying mechanical problem. - The primary issue in a tension pneumothorax is the **compressive effect** of trapped air on the heart and great vessels, which can only be relieved by decompression.

Q: After an RTA patient has severe Maxillofacial trauma with SpO2 80% at room air, and the patient cannot be intubated or ventilated, what should be your immediate step for this?

Cricothyrotomy. ***Cricothyrotomy***- This is the required immediate intervention in a "Cannot Intubate, Cannot Ventilate" (**CICV**) scenario, especially when severe maxillofacial trauma makes standard intubation impossible.- The SpO2 of **80%** indicates impending respiratory arrest and the urgent need for a definitive surgical airway below the level of obstruction/injury.*Tracheostomy*- A tracheostomy is a more complex surgical procedure that takes significantly longer than a **cricothyrotomy** and is not suitable in a crashing patient with immediate, life-threatening hypoxia.- It is typically reserved for elective or planned long-term airway management, not for initial **emergency airway access** in trauma.*ICD insertion*- An ICD (Intercostal Drain) insertion is used to treat **pneumothorax** or **hemothorax**, which addresses pulmonary/chest issues, not the primary problem of failed upper airway management due to maxillofacial trauma.- While chest injuries may coexist, airway management (A in **ATLS**) always takes immediate priority over breathing management (B) when the former is compromised to this extent.*Do suction and again try intubation*- The scenario explicitly states the patient **cannot be intubated or ventilated**, suggesting that maximal attempts, possibly including suctioning, have already failed or are deemed futile due to massive trauma/distortion.- Repeating futile attempts only prolongs the period of severe **hypoxia** (SpO2 80%), increasing the risk of cardiac arrest and neurologic damage.

Q: Given below are the steps of Damage control surgery. What is the correct sequence? 1. Control of hemorrhage and contamination 2. Temporary abdominal closure 3. Resuscitation in ICU 4. Definitive surgical repair

1,2,3,4. ***Correct Sequence: 1,2,3,4*** The correct sequence of Damage Control Surgery follows a systematic approach: **Step 1: Control of hemorrhage and contamination** - Initial abbreviated laparotomy to control life-threatening bleeding - Control contamination from hollow viscus injuries - Pack bleeding sites, ligate vessels, staple or resect perforated bowel - Goal: Stop bleeding and contamination rapidly **Step 2: Temporary abdominal closure** - Use temporary closure techniques (vacuum-assisted closure, Bogota bag, towel clip closure) - Prevents abdominal compartment syndrome - Avoids tension on abdominal wall in edematous/swollen abdomen - No attempt at definitive repairs **Step 3: Resuscitation in ICU** - Correct the "lethal triad": **hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy** - Optimize physiology with warming, volume resuscitation, blood products - Typically requires 24-48 hours of intensive care - Patient must be physiologically stable before returning to OR **Step 4: Definitive surgical repair** - Return to OR once hemodynamically stable and coagulopathy corrected - Perform definitive anastomoses, vascular repairs, reconstructions - Formal abdominal closure - May require multiple staged operations *Incorrect Option 3,1,2,4:* Starting with ICU resuscitation before controlling hemorrhage would be fatal *Incorrect Option 1,3,2,4:* Performing ICU resuscitation before temporary closure risks abdominal compartment syndrome *Incorrect Option 2,1,4,3:* Performing temporary closure before controlling hemorrhage is illogical **Clinical Pearl:** Damage control surgery is indicated in patients with physiologic exhaustion (hypothermia <35°C, pH <7.2, coagulopathy) where prolonged definitive surgery would be fatal.

Q: A patient presents with severe respiratory distress, hyperresonance and absent breath sounds on one side of the chest, distended neck veins, and tracheal shift away from the affected side. What is the best immediate management for this life-threatening condition?

Wide bore needle in 2nd ICS. ***Wide bore needle in 2nd ICS*** - This is the immediate, life-saving intervention for a **tension pneumothorax**, a clinical diagnosis based on the triad of respiratory distress, hemodynamic instability, and unilateral chest signs. - Needle decompression rapidly converts the **tension pneumothorax** into a simple pneumothorax by relieving intrapleural pressure, and is a temporizing measure followed by definitive chest tube insertion. *Bedside CXR in casualty followed by chest tube insertion* - Delaying treatment for a chest X-ray in a clinically evident and unstable **tension pneumothorax** is dangerous and can lead to cardiovascular collapse and death. - The diagnosis is **clinical**, and immediate decompression should precede any imaging. *Pericardiocentesis* - This procedure is indicated for **cardiac tamponade**, which presents with muffled heart sounds, not the unilateral hyperresonance and absent breath sounds seen in pneumothorax. - While both conditions can cause obstructive shock with distended neck veins, the pulmonary findings are key to differentiating them. *Pleurodesis with doxycycline* - Pleurodesis is a procedure to prevent the **recurrence** of a pneumothorax or pleural effusion, not a treatment for an acute, life-threatening event. - It is performed electively after the lung has been fully re-expanded with a chest tube.

Q: On examination, a person has distended neck veins, absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and a shift of the trachea. What is the management?

Wide bore needle in 2nd ICS. ***Wide bore needle in 2nd ICS***- The constellation of absent breath sounds, **hyperresonance**, distended neck veins, and tracheal deviation indicates **tension pneumothorax**, which requires immediate definitive management before imaging can be done via a **needle decompression**.- This emergent procedure involves inserting a large-bore needle (e.g., 14-gauge) into the **second intercostal space (ICS)** in the midclavicular line to immediately relieve the pleural pressure and convert it to a simple pneumothorax.*Bedside CXR in casualty followed by chest tube insertion*- Obtaining a **CXR** is contraindicated as it significantly delays the urgent, life-saving decompression required for a clinically diagnosed **tension pneumothorax**.- While **chest tube insertion** is the definitive management, initial stabilization via needle decompression must precede this step in unstable patients with tension pneumothorax.*Pericardiocentesis*- This procedure is indicated for **cardiac tamponade**, which presents with features such as Beck's triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, elevated JVP), not the hyperresonance and absent breath sounds seen here.- Cardiac tamponade is a fluid accumulation issue impacting cardiac function, distinct from the life-threatening air accumulation and massive pressure shift seen in **tension pneumothorax**.*Pleurodesis with doxycycline*- **Pleurodesis** is an elective, definitive procedure used to prevent the recurrence of pleural effusions or pneumothorax by fusing the pleural layers, not an immediate emergency intervention.- This is typically reserved for stable patients with recurrent pneumothorax or chronic conditions like refractory **malignant pleural effusion**.

Q: A 45-year-old male patient was brought to the emergency department following a road traffic accident. O/E, he had multiple injuries all over his body and was found to be in class III hemorrhagic shock. The percentage of blood loss would be between:

30-40%. ***30-40%***- **Class III hemorrhagic shock** is defined by an estimated blood loss of **30-40%** (approximately 1500 to 2000 mL in an adult).- Clinically, patients in Class III shock present with **marked tachycardia** (>120 bpm), significant **hypotension**, and altered **mental status** (confusion).*5-15%*- This range corresponds to **Class I hemorrhagic shock**, which involves minimal blood loss (up to 750 mL).- Patients in **Class I** typically present with near-normal vital signs or mild **tachycardia** only, not the severe clinical picture described.*>40%*- This defines **Class IV hemorrhagic shock**, representing extremely severe and **life-threatening** blood loss (over 2000 mL).- Patients in **Class IV** present with profound **hypotension** and absent peripheral pulses; they are often unresponsive.*15-30%*- This range characterizes **Class II hemorrhagic shock**, which involves moderate blood loss (750 to 1500 mL).- Patients exhibit **tachycardia** (100–120 bpm) and decreased **pulse pressure**, but usually maintain adequate blood pressure and good mental status, unlike the patient described.

Q: A patient presents to the emergency department with confusion. On examination, he opens his eyes to pain, shows abnormal flexion to pain, and is disoriented in speech. What is his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score?

9. ***9***- The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) total score is the sum of scores for Eye (E), Verbal (V), and Motor (M) responses (E+V+M). - **Eye Opening (E)** score is 2 for opening eyes only to **painful stimuli** (4=Spontaneous, 1=None). - **Verbal Response (V)** score is 4 for **disoriented in speech**, which is categorized as disoriented/confused conversation (5=Oriented, 3=Inappropriate Words). - **Motor Response (M)** score is 3 for showing **abnormal flexion** (Decorticate posturing) to pain (6=Obeys Commands, 1=None). Total GCS = 2 + 4 + 3 = **9**. *11* - A GCS of 11 is too high for this clinical presentation, as it implies a much better neurological status, typically requiring higher E, V, and M scores (e.g., E3/4, V4/5, M4/5). - This score conflicts with the patient's severe responses: E=2 (to pain) and M=3 (**abnormal flexion**), which together limit the maximum possible GCS to 11 (2+5+4). *12* - A GCS of 12 represents a moderate head injury, which is inconsistent with the patient demonstrating **abnormal flexion** (M=3), a sign often associated with severe injury or significant cerebral dysfunction. - Achieving a score of 12 would necessitate very strong cognitive responses (e.g., E4, V5, M3), which contradict the observed responses of E=2 and M=3. *10* - While close to the correct score, 10 would require a combination like E2, V5, M3, meaning the patient should be **oriented verbally** (V=5). - The patient is explicitly described as "**disoriented in speech**," which dictates a verbal score of V=4 or less, thus ruling out GCS 10.

Q: Identify the sign given in the image below:

Double target sign. ***Double target sign*** - The image displays the **double target sign**, also known as the **halo sign**, which is highly suggestive of a **basilar skull fracture**. - This sign appears when blood mixed with **cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)** is dropped onto an absorbent surface; the heavier red blood cells accumulate in the center, while the lighter CSF diffuses outward, forming a distinct ring. *Beta 2 transferrin sign* - This is not a visual sign but a highly specific laboratory test used to confirm a **CSF leak**. **Beta-2 transferrin** is a protein almost exclusively found in CSF. - The test involves analyzing fluid collected from the nose or ear (rhinorrhea or otorrhea) to detect the presence of this specific protein, confirming its origin is CSF. *Handkerchief sign* - The **handkerchief sign** (or reservoir sign) refers to the clinical observation of a patient with **CSF rhinorrhea** who constantly has to wipe their nose due to the continuous, watery discharge. - It describes a patient's action rather than the appearance of the fluid itself on a surface. *Tear drop sign* - The **tear drop sign** is a radiological finding seen on orbital imaging (X-ray or CT scan), not a clinical sign on a cloth. - It indicates an **orbital floor (blowout) fracture**, where orbital contents, such as fat and the inferior rectus muscle, herniate into the maxillary sinus, resembling a hanging teardrop.

Q: A 45-year-old man is found unconscious after a fall from a ladder. In the emergency department, his eyes do not open even in response to pain; he is making incomprehensible sounds, and he exhibits abnormal flexion in response to painful stimuli. What is his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score?

6. ***Correct Answer: 6*** - The GCS score is calculated by summing Eye (E), Verbal (V), and Motor (M) responses - E=1 (no eye opening to pain) + V=2 (incomprehensible sounds) + M=3 (abnormal flexion/decorticate posturing) = **6** - A GCS ≤8 indicates **severe head injury** requiring definitive airway management *Incorrect: 5* - A score of 5 would require an even lower motor response: M=2 (abnormal extension/decerebrate posturing) or M=1 (no motor response) - The patient demonstrates M=3 (abnormal flexion), making the total score 6, not 5 *Incorrect: 7* - A score of 7 would require a higher verbal or motor component - For example: E=1 + V=3 (inappropriate words) + M=3 = 7, or E=1 + V=2 + M=4 (withdrawal from pain) = 7 - The patient's V=2 (incomprehensible sounds) and E=1 prevent reaching a total of 7 *Incorrect: 8* - A GCS of 8 requires significantly better responses, such as M=4 (withdraws from pain) or V=3 (inappropriate words) combined with M=4 - The patient's M=3 (abnormal flexion) and V=2 (incomprehensible sounds) are too low to reach 8

Question 1

A child comes after a train accident with stable vitals but a big laceration on the leg. Which triage category does the patient come under?

Accepted Answer

Yellow

Answer

Black

Answer

Green

Answer

Red

Question 2

A 30-year-old male presented to EMT with H/o Penetrating chest trauma. On examination, severe tracheal deviation was present. What is the immediate step of management?

Accepted Answer

Needle decompression

Answer

E-FAST

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

O2 support at 100%

Question 3

After an RTA patient has severe Maxillofacial trauma with SpO2 80% at room air, and the patient cannot be intubated or ventilated, what should be your immediate step for this?

Accepted Answer

Cricothyrotomy

Answer

ICD insertion

Answer

Tracheostomy

Answer

Do suction and again try intubation

Question 4

Given below are the steps of Damage control surgery. What is the correct sequence?

1. Control of hemorrhage and contamination
2. Temporary abdominal closure
3. Resuscitation in ICU
4. Definitive surgical repair

Accepted Answer

1,2,3,4

Answer

3,1,2,4

Answer

1,3,2,4

Answer

2,1,4,3

Question 5

A patient presents with severe respiratory distress, hyperresonance and absent breath sounds on one side of the chest, distended neck veins, and tracheal shift away from the affected side. What is the best immediate management for this life-threatening condition?

Accepted Answer

Wide bore needle in 2nd ICS

Answer

Bedside CXR in casualty followed by chest tube insertion

Answer

Pleurodesis with doxycycline

Answer

Pericardiocentesis

Question 6

On examination, a person has distended neck veins, absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and a shift of the trachea. What is the management?

Accepted Answer

Wide bore needle in 2nd ICS

Answer

Pericardiocentesis

Answer

Bedside CXR in casualty followed by chest tube insertion

Answer

Pleurodesis with doxycycline

Question 7

A 45-year-old male patient was brought to the emergency department following a road traffic accident. O/E, he had multiple injuries all over his body and was found to be in class III hemorrhagic shock. The percentage of blood loss would be between:

Accepted Answer

30-40%

Answer

>40%

Answer

5-15%

Answer

15-30%

Question 8

A patient presents to the emergency department with confusion. On examination, he opens his eyes to pain, shows abnormal flexion to pain, and is disoriented in speech. What is his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score?

Accepted Answer

9

Answer

12

Answer

11

Answer

10

Question 9

Identify the sign given in the image below:

Accepted Answer

Double target sign

Answer

Handkerchief sign

Answer

Beta 2 transferrin sign

Answer

Tear drop sign

Question 10

A 45-year-old man is found unconscious after a fall from a ladder. In the emergency department, his eyes do not open even in response to pain; he is making incomprehensible sounds, and he exhibits abnormal flexion in response to painful stimuli. What is his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score?

Accepted Answer

6

Answer

7

Answer

8

Answer

5

Trauma — MCQs

Trauma — MCQs

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