Chapter 3 - Penetrating Trauma

Question 1

Approximately what number of deaths is attributable to shootings each year?

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31,500

Question 2

An object traveling at twice the speed of another object of the same weight has

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4x the Kinetic Energy

Question 3

T/F - Wounds from rifle bullets are considered two to four times more lethal than those from

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True

Question 4

The curved tract a bullet follows during flight is called its

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trajectory.

Question 5

The surface of a projectile that exchanges energy with the object struck is its

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Profile

Question 6

When a rifle bullet hits tissue, normally it will

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tumble 180 degrees then continue.

Question 7

T/F - Although handgun bullets are made of relatively soft lead, their kinetic energy is generally not
sufficient to cause significant deformity.

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True

Question 8

T/F - Civilian hunting ammunition is designed to expand dramatically on impact.

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False

Question 9

Differences between a rifle bullet in contrast to a handgun
bullet?

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It is a heavier projectile

It travels further.

It travels at a greater velocity.

It is more likely to expand.

Question 10

T/F - The shotgun is limited in range and accuracy; however, injuries it inflicts at close range can be
very severe or lethal.

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True

Question 11

Which element of the projectile injury process is related to the actual damage caused as the
bullet contacts tissue?

Direct injury
Pressure wave
Temporary cavity
Permanent cavity
Zone of injury

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Direct injury

Question 12

The formation of subatmospheric pressure behind the bullet as it passes through the body is a
result of

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temporary cavity.

Question 13

The passage of a projectile through the body results in a region where tissues are disrupted and
not functioning normally known as the

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zone of injury.

Question 14

The temporary cavity formed as a high-velocity/high-energy bullet passes may be how large?

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12x the bullet caliber

Question 15

The tissue structure that is very resilient, yet dense, and usually sustains limited damage with
the passage of a projectile is

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connective tissue.

Question 16

The tissue structure that is likely to rupture and spill its contents when struck by a projectile is

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a hollow organ.

Question 17

T/F - Penetrating wounds to the extremities account for about 70 percent of all penetrating wounds
yet account for less than 10 percent of fatalities related to this injury mechanism.

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True

Question 18

The abdominal organ most tolerant to the passage of a projectile is the

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bowel

Question 19

T/F - Because of the pressure-driven dynamics of respiration, any large bullet wound to the chest is
likely to seriously compromise breathing.

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True

Question 20

The body region in which a penetrating wound has the greatest likelihood of drawing air into
the venous system is the

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Neck.

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT associated with an entrance wound?

Tattooing

A small ridge of discoloration around the wound

A blown-outward appearance

Subcutaneous emphysema

Propellant residue on the surrounding tissue

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a blown-outward appearance

Question 22

T/F - The entrance wound is more likely to reflect the actual damaging potential of the projectile
than the exit wound.

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False

Question 23

What information should you gain through the scene size-up, about a GSW if possible?

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The gun caliber

The angle of the gun to the victim

The type of gun used

Assurance that no other weapons are involved

Question 24

As you care for a patient at a potential crime scene, actions you take to help preserve evidence should include

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disturbing only the items necessary to provide patient care.

Question 25

Frothy blood at a bullet exit or entrance wound suggests a(n)

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tension pneumothorax.

Question 26

An object that weighs twice as much as another object traveling at the same speed has

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twice the kinetic energy.

Question 27

T/F - Wounds from a handgun are two to four times more lethal than those from a rifle.

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False

Question 28

The diameter of a projectile is its

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caliber.

Question 29

What is a characteristic of a handgun bullet in contrast to a rifle bullet?

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It has a blunter shape.

Question 30

T/F - With low-velocity penetrating objects, damage is usually more extensive than just the direct
contact points between the object and human tissue.

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False

Question 31

Which element of the projectile injury process describes the region filled with air and tissue
debris after the bullet has passed?

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Permanent cavity

Question 32

The tissue structures that are very dense and usually sustain significant damage (often breaking
apart) with the passage of a projectile are the

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Bones.

Question 33

The tissue structures that are very resilient and usually sustain the smallest amount of damage
associated with the passage of a projectile are the

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Lungs.

Question 34

The abdominal organ rather tolerant to the passage of a projectile is the

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bowel.

Question 35

T/F - The impact of a bullet with the ribs may induce an explosive energy exchange that injures the
surrounding tissue with numerous bony fragments.

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True

Question 36

A penetrating wound to the area of the rib margin should be suspected of involving which organs?

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spleen or liver.

kidneys.

abdominal and thoracic organs.

left, right, or both lung fields.

Question 37

Generally, powder bums and subcutaneous emphysema around the entrance wound suggest use of a

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gun at close range.

Question 38

What sign is frequently associated with an exit wound?

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A blown-out appearance

Question 39

T/F - The exit wound is usually more likely to reflect the actual damaging potential of the projectile.

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True

Question 40

T/F - A relatively small bullet wound to the chest is all that is necessary to produce an open
pneumothorax.

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False