Chapter 7 extended Flashcards

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1
Q

Which of the following is the correct description of a wound that is below the fifth rib, directly
in line with the armpit?
A) Sixth intercostal space, midclavicular
B) Sixth intercostal space, midaxillary line
C) Fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
D) Fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line

A

fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line

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2
Q
The morbidity associated with simple pneumothorax is primarily due to which of the 
following?
A) Occlusion of pulmonary circulation
B) Increased intrathoracic pressure
C) Loss of chest wall integrity
D) Ventilation/perfusion mismatc
A

ventilation perfusion mismatch

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3
Q

On maximal expiration, the diaphragm may be:
A) as high as the fourth intercostal space anteriorly.
B) as high as the second intercostal space anteriorly.
C) as low as the ninth intercostal space anteriorly.
D) as low as the eleventh intercostal space anteriorly.

A

as high as the fourth intercostal space anteriorly

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4
Q

Which of the following occurs during the onset of inspiration?
A) Intrathoracic pressure increases and venous return to the heart is impeded.
B) Intrathoracic pressure increases and venous return to the heart is facilitated.
C) Intrathoracic pressure decreases and venous return to the heart is impeded.
D) Intrathoracic pressure decreases and venous return to the heart is facilitated.

A

intrathoracic pressure decreases and venous return to the heart is facilitated

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5
Q
The trachea divides into the right and left mainstem bronchi at the:
A) carina.
B) hilum.
C) lingual.
D) thoracic inlet.
A

carina

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6
Q

Which of the following has the greatest likelihood of resulting in an open pneumothorax?
A) Any opening between the pleural cavity and the atmosphere
B) Open defects that are two-thirds the size of the trachea or larger
C) Open defects that are larger in diameter than the trachea
D) Open defects that are one-quarter the size of the trachea or larger

A

open defects that are two thirds the size of the trachea or larger

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7
Q

) Your patient is a 38-year-old man who was pinned beneath the frame of a vehicle when it
slipped off the makeshift jacks he was using to elevate it. The patient’s brother thinks he may
have been trapped for up to 20 minutes. The rescue unit is preparing to use airbags to lift the
vehicle off the patient. Which of the following medications could you consider giving this
patient?
A) Magnesium sulfate
B) Calcium chloride
C) Sodium bicarbonate
D) Potassium chloride

A

sodium bicarbonate

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8
Q

Your patient is a 27-year-old man with one stab wound at the fifth intercostal space
posteriorly, on the right. He is ambulatory at the scene, but dyspneic and has air movement at the
site of the injury. Which of the following should you do first?
A) Apply oxygen by nonrebreather.
B) Cover the wound with your gloved hand.
C) Prepare an occlusive dressing.
D) Perform a needle thoracostomy.

A

prepare an occlusive dressing

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9
Q

Which of the following statements is NOT true of pericardial tamponade?
A) It is most often associated with penetrating trauma.
B) The systolic blood pressure increases significantly on inspiration.
C) As little as 150 mL of blood can cause pericardial tamponade.
D) The pathophysiology results in increased venous pressure and decreased cardiac output.

A

the systolic blood pressure increases significantly on inspiration

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10
Q

) Which of the following statements concerning blunt thoracic trauma in the pediatric
population is most accurate?
A) Children are more likely than adults to suffer both rib fracture and organ injury.
B) Children are less likely than adults to suffer either rib fractures or organ injury.
C) Children are more likely than adults to suffer rib fractures but less likely to suffer significant
organ injury.
D) Children are less likely than adults to suffer rib fractures but more likely to have significant
organ injury

A

children are less likely than adults to suffer rib fractures but more likely to have significant organ injury

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11
Q

An individual is struck in the left ventricle with a low-velocity projectile. As compared to
high-velocity penetrating trauma, you should have a higher index of suspicion for:
A) ventricular rupture.
B) pericardial tamponade.
C) simple penetrating injury.
D) blunt cardiac injury.

A

pericardial tamponade

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12
Q

Your patient received a blow to the left lateral chest at the level of the sixth and seventh ribs.
You should suspect fractures at:
A) the point of impact of the sixth rib only.
B) the point of impact and the posterior axillary line of the sixth rib only.
C) the point of impact on both ribs.
D) the point of impact and the posterior axillary line of both ribs.

A

the point of impact and the posterior axillary line of both ribs

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13
Q

You have arrived on the scene of a paramedic who was shot as she approached a residence on
a call. The scene has since been secured. Your patient is a 38-year-old woman with one gunshot
wound to the left side of the chest at the fifth intercostal space in the midaxillary line. She is
pale, cool, and awake but agitated. She is diaphoretic and complaining of pain in her left side and
difficulty breathing. The patient’s EMT partner has applied oxygen by nonrebreather mask and
placed an occlusive dressing over the entry wound before your arrival. As you continue your
assessment, the patient’s level of consciousness decreases. She responds to verbal stimuli. Her
airway is clear, her respiratory rate is 38 per minute and shallow, her neck veins are flat, and her
breath sounds are absent on the left side. The patient lacks a radial pulse, and her abdomen is
non-guarded and non-tender. Which of the following best explains the presentation of this
patient?
A) Simple pneumothorax
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Pericardial tamponade
D) Hemothorax

A

hemothorax

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14
Q

You have arrived on the scene of a paramedic who was shot as she approached a residence on
a call. The scene has since been secured. Your patient is a 38-year-old woman with one gunshot
wound to the left side of the chest at the fifth intercostal space in the midaxillary line. She is
pale, cool, and awake but agitated. She is diaphoretic and complaining of pain in her left side and
difficulty breathing. The patient’s EMT partner has applied oxygen by nonrebreathing mask and
placed an occlusive dressing over the entry wound before your arrival. As you continue your
assessment, the patient’s level of consciousness decreases. She responds to verbal stimuli. Her
airway is clear, her respiratory rate is 38 per minute and shallow, her neck veins are flat, and her
breath sounds are absent on the left side. The patient lacks a radial pulse, and the abdomen is
non-guarded and non-tender. Which of the following should you do first?
A) Start a large-bore IV of isotonic crystalloid solution.
B) Do a rapid trauma assessment.
C) Assist ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device.
D) Do an immediate needle chest decompression.

A

assist ventilations with a bag valve mask device

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15
Q

) Which of the following is TRUE of pulmonary contusion?
A) Signs and symptoms generally develop gradually.
B) Pulmonary contusion is typically an isolated injury.
C) The primary pathophysiology is that the alveoli are filled with blood.
D) Pulmonary contusion results in paradoxical motion of the chest wall.

A

signs and symptoms generally develop gradually

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16
Q

Which of the following is the primary prehospital concern with a simple, isolated fracture of
the fifth rib in the right posterior—axillary line?
A) Hemorrhage
B) Pneumonia
C) Hypoventilation
D) Liver contusion

A

hypoventilation

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17
Q

Which of the following best describes the threat to life associated with traumatic rupture of
the esophagus?
A) Entry of gastric contents into the mediastinum
B) Hypoxia
C) Decreased cardiac output
D) Massive hemorrhage

A

entry of gastric contents into the mediastinum

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18
Q
Which of the following best describes the epidemiology of sternal fracture?
A) Low incidence, low mortality
B) High incidence, high mortality
C) High incidence, low mortality
D) Low incidence, high mortality
A

low incidence, high mortality

19
Q

Abdominal trauma should be suspected with penetrating thoracic wounds below the
________ rib anteriorly and the ________ rib posteriorly.
A) fourth; ninth
B) second; fifth
C) fourth; sixth
D) second; tenth

A

fourth, sixth

20
Q

Your patient is an 80-year-old man who was the unrestrained driver of a vehicle without
airbags that was involved in a frontal collision with a parked car. Your assessment reveals that he
is dyspneic, tachypneic, and tachycardic. He is awake but unable to respond to questions. There
are no obvious signs of injury to the head or neck. The patient has paradoxical movement of the
sternum with breathing, along with crepitus and subcutaneous air noted on palpation. Chest
excursion is limited, and the patient has cyanosis of his lips, ears, and nail beds. Which of the
following is most needed in this patient?
A) Infusion of isotonic crystalloid solution using a large-bore IV
B) Application of bulky dressings over the site of paradoxical motion
C) Being placed in a prone position to stabilize the chest wall
D) Intubation and positive-pressure ventilation

A

intubation and positive pressure ventilation

21
Q
) Traumatic asphyxia is a(n) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ type of injury.
A) compression
B) deceleration
C) decompression
D) acceleration
A

compression

22
Q
Which of the following is a complication of positive-pressure ventilation in the patient with 
significant chest trauma?
A) Pulmonary contusion
B) Atelectasis
C) Exacerbation of flail chest
D) Impaired venous return to the heart
A

impaired venous return to the heart

23
Q

Which of the following most accurately characterizes simple pneumothorax?
A) Untreated, it will lead to mediastinal shift and compression of the contralateral lung.
B) It is a problem of ventilation—perfusion mismatch.
C) It results from air entering the pleural cavity through a defect in the chest wall.
D) It results from the creation of a one-way valve that continues to allow air into, but not out of,
the pleural cavity.

A

it is a problem of ventilation - perfusion mismatch

24
Q

) Which of the following findings differentiates a simple pneumothorax from a tension
pneumothorax?
A) Decreased breath sounds on the affected side
B) Hemodynamic compromise
C) Absent breath sounds on the affected side
D) An open defect in the chest wall

A

hemodynamic compromise

25
Q
) Hemothorax is primarily a problem of:
A) blood loss.
B) impaired ventilation.
C) ventilation/perfusion mismatch.
D) increased intrathoracic pressure.
A

blood loss

26
Q

Your patient is a 15-year-old male who was struck in the chest with a baseball. He is
unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. The monitor shows ventricular fibrillation. This condition is
most accurately described as:
A) pericardial tamponade.
B) blunt cardiac injury.
C) commotio cordis.
D) traumatic asphyxia.

A

commottio cordis

27
Q

Your patient is a 21-year-old man with a single, small-caliber gunshot wound to the left
anterior chest, just lateral to the sternum at the fourth intercostal space. Bleeding from the wound
is minimal. The patient is initially anxious, combative, and diaphoretic. Initial vital signs include
a heart rate of 100, respirations of 20, and a blood pressure of 110/80. Breath sounds are clear
bilaterally and equal. En route, the patient becomes quieter but still restless. The heart rate
increases to 120, respirations are 24, blood pressure 106/88, and breath sounds remain clear and
equal. The patient has also developed significant JVD. You are 15 minutes from a Level I trauma
center and 5 minutes away from a large community hospital. You should:
A) immediately decompress the left chest and divert to the community hospital for chest tube
insertion.
B) immediately decompress the left chest and continue to the trauma center for chest tube
insertion.
C) continue to the Level I trauma center for pericardiocentesis.
D) divert to the community hospital for pericardiocentesis.

A

divert to the community hospital for pericardiocentesis

28
Q
) Which of the following best describes the mechanism of blunt thoracic trauma associated 
with blast injuries?
A) Deceleration
B) Acceleration
C) Compression
D) Compression and decompression
A

compression and decompression

29
Q
Thoracic trauma accounts for approximately \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ percent of mortality from trauma.
A) 20 to 25
B) 10 to 15
C) 75 to 80
D) 45 to 50
A

20 to 25

30
Q
) Which of the following is the primary concern in the patient with a hemothorax?
A) Hypovolemia
B) Increased intrathoracic pressure
C) Mediastinal shift
D) Atelectasis
A

hypovolemia

31
Q

Your patient was the unrestrained driver of a motor vehicle without airbags. The vehicle
struck a large utility pole at about 45 miles per hour. Your patient has a contusion over his chest
and upper abdomen consistent with the shape of the steering wheel. You should suspect which of
the following types of injury in this patient?
A) Compression
B) Compression and acceleration
C) Compression and deceleration
D) Deceleration

A

compression and deceleration

32
Q

The location of the neurovascular bundles containing the intercostal arteries is best described
as the bundle that runs along the:
A) intercostal space equally distant from both associated ribs.
B) posterior surface of the associated rib.
C) superior margin of the associated rib.
D) lower rib margin of the associated rib.

A

lower rib margin of the associated rib

33
Q

) Your patient is a 24-year-old man who was struck just below the left scapula with a 3-inch-
diameter metal pipe. He is awake but having difficulty breathing. His pulse is 112 at the radial
artery, and his respiratory rate is 28 per minute and shallow. His breath sounds are present
bilaterally but diminished on the left. He has a blood pressure of 108/68. The patient is coughing
up some bloody sputum. He has no other complaints, and a rapid trauma survey reveals no
additional life-threatening injuries. Which of the following represents the best sequence of
interventions for this patient?
A) Begin transport immediately, positive pressure ventilation, a large-bore IV of isotonic solution
to maintain a systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg or greater.
B) High-concentration oxygen by nonrebreather mask, begin transport, a 16-gauge IV at a keep-
open rate.
C) Positive-pressure ventilation, a large-bore IV of normal saline solution at a keep-open rate,
transport.
D) High-concentration oxygen by nonrebreather mask, begin transport, two 14-gauge IVs of 50
percent dextrose solution wide open.

A

high concentration oxygen by nonrebreather mask begin transport, 16 gauge IV at a keep open range

34
Q

Which of the following best describes the incidence of pericardial tamponade?
A) It occurs in 10 to 15 percent of all trauma patients.
B) It occurs in less than 2 percent of all patients with serious chest trauma.
C) It occurs in 10 to 15 percent of patients with serious chest trauma.
D) It occurs in 2 percent of all trauma patients.

A

it occurs in less than 2 percent of all trauma patients

35
Q
The angle of Louis serves as a landmark for performing needle thoracostomy at which of the 
following locations?
A) Second intercostal space anteriorly
B) Second intercostal space laterally
C) Fourth intercostal space anteriorly
D) Fourth intercostal space laterally
A

second intercostal space anteriorly

36
Q
The central area in the thorax that contains the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus is 
the:
A) mediastinum.
B) pulmonary hilum.
C) hemothorax.
D) carina.
A

mediastinum

37
Q

) You have just inserted a large-bore catheter into the chest of a patient with a tension
pneumothorax and received a return of air. Which of the following should NOT be done?
A) Insert a second, or even a third, catheter if the patient is symptomatic, despite the release of
air.
B) Leave the catheter in place, and create a flutter valve.
C) Leave the catheter in place and open to air.
D) Remove the catheter.

A

remove the catheter

38
Q
Another name for an open pneumothorax is:
A) tension pneumothorax.
B) sucking chest wound.
C) flail chest.
D) hemopneumothorax.
A

sucking chest wound

39
Q
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be a sign of an open pneumothorax?
A) Large, open thoracic wound
B) Frothy blood around the opening
C) Jugular vein distention
D) Dyspnea
A

jugular vein distention

40
Q

Which of the following best describes the finding of tracheal shift in the trauma patient?
A) Its absence rules out tension pneumothorax.
B) It is the earliest sign of tension pneumothorax.
C) It is a rare finding in patients with tension pneumothorax.
D) It is a contraindication to needle thoracostomy in tension pneumothorax.

A

it is a rare finding in the patients with tension pneumothorax

41
Q

) The finding of jugular venous distention in the patient with thoracic trauma is LEAST likely
to be associated with which of the following?
A) Traumatic asphyxia
B) Hemothorax
C) Tension pneumothorax
D) Pericardial tamponade

A

hemothorax

42
Q

Which of the following may improve breathing in the patient with isolated rib fractures?
A) Nitrous oxide
B) Taping circumferentially around the chest
C) Morphine sulfate
D) None of the above

A

morphine sulfate

43
Q
Which of the following are the most commonly fractured ribs?
A) 1 to 3
B) 4 to 8
C) 7 to 12
D) 5 to 10
A

4 to 8

44
Q

You are treating a patient whose open chest wound has been sealed by EMTs on the scene
before your arrival. During transport the patient becomes more dyspneic, tachycardic, and
hypotensive. There are no breath sounds on the affected side, and the patient has JVD. Which of
the following is the best action?
A) Reinforce the dressing with additional tape, using tincture of benzoin, if necessary, to
improve the seal.
B) Perform a needle thoracostomy at the second intercostal space in the midclavicular line.
C) Perform a needle thoracostomy at the fourth intercostal space in the midaxillary line.
D) Remove the dressing and see if the patient’s clinical status improves, then replace the
dressing

A

remove the dressing and see if the patient clinical status improves then replace the dressing