A 45-year-old man was a driver in a motor vehicle collision. The patient is not able to offer a medical history during initial presentation. His temperature is 97.6°F (36.4°C), blood pressure is 104/74 mmHg, pulse is 150/min, respirations are 12/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. On exam, he does not open his eyes, he withdraws to pain, and he makes incomprehensible sounds. He has obvious signs of trauma to the chest and abdomen. His abdomen is distended and markedly tender to palpation. He also has an obvious open deformity of the left femur. What is the best initial step in management?
AEmergency open fracture repair
BPacked red blood cells
CExploratory laparotomy
DIntubation
E100% oxygen
A 27-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 45 minutes after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. He is agitated. He has pain in his upper right arm, which he is cradling in his left arm. His temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), pulse is 135/min, respirations are 25/min, and blood pressure is 145/90 mm Hg. His breathing is shallow. Pulse oximetry on 100% oxygen via a non-rebreather face mask shows an oxygen saturation of 83%. He is confused and oriented only to person. Examination shows multiple bruises on the right anterior thoracic wall. The pupils are equal and reactive to light. On inspiration, his right chest wall demonstrates paradoxical inward movement while his left chest wall is expanding. There is pain to palpation and crepitus over his right anterior ribs. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. An x-ray of the chest is shown. Two large-bore IVs are placed. After fluid resuscitation and analgesia, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
ABedside thoracotomy
BSurgical fixation of right third to sixth ribs
CIntubation with positive pressure ventilation
DPlacement of a chest tube
ECT scan of the chest
A 34-year-old woman is recovering in the post-operative unit following a laparoscopic procedure for chronic endometriosis. She had initially presented with complaints of painful menstrual cramps that kept her bedridden most of the day. She also mentioned to her gynecologist that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis 4 years ago, and she could not find a medication or alternative therapeutic measure that helped. Her medical history was significant for surgery she had 6 years ago to remove tumors she had above her kidneys, after which she was prescribed hydrocortisone. An hour after the laparoscopic procedure, she calls the nurse because she is having difficulty breathing. The nurse records her vital signs include: blood pressure 85/55 mm Hg, respirations 20/min, and pulse 115/min. The patient suddenly loses consciousness. Intravenous fluids are started immediately. She gains consciousness, but her blood pressure is unchanged. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the hypotension?
ABleeding profusely through the surgical site
BImproper supplementation of steroids
CInfection involving the suture line
DHigh doses of anesthetic drugs
ELoss of fluids during the procedure
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