Face and Neck Trauma

Question 1

Which of the following cranial nerves innervates the muscles that cause motion of the eyeballs and upper eyelids?

Select one:

a. Optic
b. Ophthalmic
c. Oculomotor
d. Trigeminal

Answer 1

c. Oculomotor

Question 2

The middle ear consists of the:

Select one:

a. cochlea and semicircular canals.
b. organ of Corti and the external auditory canal.
c. inner portion of the tympanic membrane and the ossicles
d. pinna and the exterior portion of the tympanic membrane.

Answer 2

c. inner portion of the tympanic membrane and the ossicles

Question 3

In addition to massive bleeding, injury to a carotid or vertebral artery would MOST likely cause:

Select one:

a. hemiparalysis.
b. an air embolism.
c. severe bradycardia.
d. cerebral hypoxia.

Answer 3

d. cerebral hypoxia.

Question 4

Loss of function of the lower arms and hands following trauma to the anterior neck is indicative of damage to the:

Select one:

a. carotid artery.
b. brachial plexus.
c. vagus nerves.
d. parathyroid glands.

Answer 4

b. brachial plexus.

Question 5

Open soft-tissue facial trauma following a significant mechanism of injury:

Select one:

a. often requires removal of foreign bodies that are impaled in the face.
b. is of most concern due to the possibility of permanent disfigurement.
c. suggests that the patient may have a closed head injury or spinal injury.
d. dictates the need for immediate intubation to protect the patient’s airway.

Answer 5

c. suggests that the patient may have a closed head injury or spinal injury.

Question 6

When assessing a patient with maxillofacial trauma, it is MOST important to:

Select one:

a. gently palpate the maxilla, mandible, and zygoma to elicit crepitus.
b. protect the cervical spine and monitor the patient’s neurologic status.
c. apply a cervical collar and determine if the patient has visual disturbances.
d. have the patient open his or her mouth and assess for dental malocclusion.

Answer 6

b. protect the cervical spine and monitor the patient’s neurologic status.

Question 7

Which of the following is the MOST significant complication associated with a fractured nasal bone?

Select one:

a. Facial swelling
b. Lateral displacement
c. Damage to the septum
d. Posterior epistaxis

Answer 7

d. Posterior epistaxis

Question 8

Because significant force is required to fracture the mandible:

Select one:

a. most mandibular fractures are associated with a spinal fracture. Incorrect
b. it is often fractured in more than one place and is unstable to palpation.
c. patients with a possible mandibular fracture should be intubated routinely.
d. a mandibular fracture can be ruled out in cases of minor blunt facial trauma.

Answer 8

b. it is often fractured in more than one place and is unstable to palpation.

Question 9

A fracture of all midfacial bones, separating the entire midface from the cranium:

Select one:

a. is commonly associated with facial elongation and dental malocclusion
b. should be stabilized by placing bulky dressings across the fractured area.
c. is almost always accompanied by multiple severe fractures of the mandible.
d. is referred to as a Le Fort I fracture and most commonly results from a fall.

Answer 9

a. is commonly associated with facial elongation and dental malocclusion.

Question 10

If a patient is unable to follow your finger above the midline following blunt trauma to the face, you should be MOST suspicious for aNo:

Select one:

a. Le Fort II fracture.
b. nasal bone fracture.
c. orbital skull fracture.
d. basilar skull fracture.

Answer 10

c. orbital skull fracture.