Chapter 26- Trauma Overview

Question 1

Discuss the reasons for reconsideration of the mechanism of injury

Answer 1

Reevaluating the MOI is necessary so that you can catch a more significant MOI then has been initially found. At the scene size up this can help you catch a more significant injury

Question 2

State the reasons for performing a rapid trauma assessment

Answer 2

A significant MOI exists, additional injuries are suspected, a critical injury is formed during the focused physical exam, a patient becomes unstable during the focused physical exam, any emergency intervention has been provided

Question 3

Recite examples of and explain why patients should receive a rapid trauma assessment

Answer 3

If patient has experienced a significant MOI, follow up with a rapid trauma assessment. This is performed to find any additional injuries, consider if patient has experienced a fall, high speed auto crash, auto versus pedestrian or burns

Question 4

Describe the areas included in the rapid trauma assessment and discuss what should be evaluated

Answer 4

Begin RTA by Reassessing the patient’s mental status and using the glass gal coma scale
Assess patient’s head, examine neck, back, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and upper and lower extremities. Compare one side of body to another to feel for abnormalities

Question 5

Discuss the reason for performing a focused history and physical exam

Answer 5

A focused physical exam concentrates on the specific injury site based on what the patient says is wrong. It also identifies other life-threatening injuries, this can potentially save a patient’s life