7. Trauma

Question 1

Trauma is included in the exam. Questions are usually very straightforward

Answer 1

Make sure you know the trauma first-line assessment and second-line assessment

Question 2

Trauma First-Line Assessment (A,B,C,D,E)

Answer 2

-Airway: ensure a patent airway – consider intubation (stabilize the cervical spine if a spinal cord injury is suspected).

-Breathing: provide 100% oxygen and ventilation.

-Circulation: two large bore IVs with warm isotonic lactated Ringers.

-Disability: perform a quick neurological exam – LOC, motor, pupils.
-Glasgow Coma Scale score is part of the
neurological exam, not ALL of it.

-Expose/Environmental: remove the pt’s clothes, provide warmth/cooling as needed.

Question 3

Trauma Second-Line Assessment (F, G, H, I)

Answer 3

-Full set of VS
-Focused adjuncts: ECG monitor, pulse oximeter, CO2
detector, urinary catheter, gastric tube,
radiography, FAST, CT, DPL, labs
-Family presence

-Give comfort measures (pain management)

-History

-Inspect posterior: turn the pt over!