Why is a measure of serum lactate obtained in the initial assessment of the
trauma patient?
Answer: c - Answer - a) to measure oxygenation and ventilation
b) to quantify the base deficit for the adequacy of cellular
perfusion c) *to gauge end-organ perfusion and tissue
hypoxia **
d) to determine the underlying cause of shock
A trauma patient is restless and repeatedly asking "where am I?" vital signs
upon arrival were BP 100/60 mm Hg, HR 96 beats/min, and RR 24
breaths/min. Her skin is cool and dry. Current vital signs are BP 104/84mm
Hg, HR 108, RR 28 breaths/min. The patient is demonstrating signs and
symptoms of which stage of shock?
Answer: A - Answer - A)
compensated ** B) Progressive
C) irreversible
D) decompensated
An elderly patient with a history of anticoagulant use presents after a fall at
home that day. she denies any loss of consciousness. She has a hematoma to
her forehead and complains of headache, dizziness, and nausea. Which is a
most likely cause of her symptoms?
Answer: D - Answer - A) epidural
hematoma B) diffuse axonal injury
C) post-concussive
syndrome D) subdural
hematoma ***
EMS brings a patient who fell riding his bicycle. Using the American College
of Surgeons screening guidelines, which assessment finding would prompt
the nurse to prepare the patient for radiologic spine clearance?
Answer: D - Answer - A) Alert with no neurologic
deficits B) Multiple abrasions to the extremities
C) Multiple requests of
water D) Smell of alcohol on
breath ***
Which of the following occurs during the third impact of a motor vehicle
crash?
Answer: C - Answer - A) The driver of the vehicle collides with the
steering wheel B) the vehicle collides with a tree
,C) the aorta is torn at its attachment with the ligamentum
arteriosum D) the airbag deploys and strikes the front seat
passenger ***
, A passenger is brought to the emergency department of a rural hospital
following a high-speed MVC. When significant abdominal and pelvic
injuries are noted in the primary survey, which of the following is the
priority interventions?
Answer: A - Answer - A) initiate transfer to a trauma
center ** B) provide report to the operating room
nurse
C) Obtained imaging
studies D) Place a
gastric tube
Which of the following injuries is LEAST likely to be promptly identified?
Answer: C - Answer - A)
spleen B) lung
C) bowel
*** D)
brain
Patients with a crush injury should be monitored for which of the following
conditions?
Answer: C - Answer - A)
Hypernatremia B) Hypercalcemia
C) Dysrhthmias
** D) polyuria
What finding raises suspicion of complete spinal cord injury?
Answer: B - Answer - A) Weakness in the lower
extremities B) Priapism ***
C) voluntary anal sphincter
tone D) intact reflexes distal to
the injury
A patient with a complete spinal cord injury in neurogenic shock will
demonstrate hypotension and which other clinical signs?
Answer: D - Answer - A) Bradycardia and ipsilateral absences of motor
function B) Tachycardia and respiratory depression
C) Tachycardia and absent motor function below the level of injury
D) Bradycardia and absent motor function below the level of the injury ***
A 5-year old child presents to the ED with bruises to the upper arms and
buttocks in various stages of healing and multiple small, clean, round burns
to the back. There are no abnormalities found based on the pediatric
assessment triangle or primary survey. Which of the following is the priority
nursing intervention?