Trauma fisdap 2024 (50 questions) with answers 100%
correct
Course
Trauma fisdap
1. Question: A 25-year-old patient was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle
collision. During your assessment, you find decreased breath sounds on the
left side, distended neck veins, and hypotension. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A) Pulmonary contusion
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Tension pneumothorax
D) Flail chest
Answer: C) Tension pneumothorax
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds, distended neck veins, and hypotension are classic signs
of tension pneumothorax. This condition occurs when air becomes trapped in the pleural
cavity, increasing intrathoracic pressure and compressing the heart and great vessels.
2. Question: A patient has sustained a severe blunt trauma to the abdomen.
Which sign most strongly suggests internal bleeding?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypertension
C) Tachycardia
D) Elevated oxygen saturation
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to blood loss. The body increases
heart rate to maintain perfusion as blood volume decreases, which is often seen in internal
bleeding from abdominal trauma.
3. Question: A patient presents with burns on both arms and the chest.
According to the "Rule of Nines," approximately what percentage of the body
surface area is burned?
A) 9%
B) 18%
C) 27%
D) 36%
,Answer: C) 27%
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines, each arm accounts for 9% of body surface area,
and the chest is 18%, making a total of 27%.
4. Question: During your assessment of a head trauma patient, you observe
rapid decerebrate posturing. This finding suggests injury to which part of the
brain?
A) Cerebrum
B) Midbrain
C) Cerebellum
D) Occipital lobe
Answer: B) Midbrain
Rationale: Decerebrate posturing (extensor posturing) is typically associated with severe
damage to the brainstem, particularly the midbrain, and is often a sign of significant brain
injury.
5. Question: A patient has suffered a femur fracture after a fall from a height.
Which associated complication should you be most concerned about?
A) Compartment syndrome
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Answer: A) Compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a serious complication of fractures, especially in long
bones like the femur. Increased pressure in the muscle compartment can cause ischemia and
requires urgent intervention.
6. Question: You are treating a patient with an open chest wound. What is the
appropriate initial management to prevent a tension pneumothorax?
A) Apply a chest tube
B) Cover with a sterile, occlusive dressing on three sides
C) Apply a bulky dressing
D) Give high-flow oxygen
Answer: B) Cover with a sterile, occlusive dressing on three sides
,Rationale: A three-sided occlusive dressing is appropriate for an open chest wound. This
prevents air from entering the wound during inhalation but allows air to escape on exhalation,
reducing the risk of a tension pneumothorax.
7. Question: What is the priority when managing a patient with suspected
spinal trauma?
A) Immobilize the head and neck
B) Obtain a set of vital signs
C) Control external bleeding
D) Assess range of motion
Answer: A) Immobilize the head and neck
Rationale: Stabilizing the cervical spine is essential in trauma cases where spinal injury is
suspected. This prevents further movement that could cause spinal cord damage.
8. Question: A 40-year-old male was hit by a baseball bat to the left lower
chest. He is experiencing respiratory distress, with bruising noted in the left
flank and hypotension. What is the most likely injury?
A) Ruptured diaphragm
B) Hemothorax
C) Pulmonary contusion
D) Splenic rupture
Answer: D) Splenic rupture
Rationale: Trauma to the lower chest and flank, especially on the left side, can cause splenic
injury. The spleen is highly vascular, so rupture can lead to significant blood loss,
hypotension, and respiratory distress due to diaphragmatic irritation.
9. Question: Which patient finding is most concerning when assessing a
trauma patient with suspected hypovolemic shock?
A) Restlessness and anxiety
B) Tachypnea
C) Bradycardia
D) Decreased urine output
Answer: C) Bradycardia
, Rationale: Bradycardia in hypovolemic shock is a late and concerning finding that may
indicate decompensation. Early signs often include tachycardia, but as shock progresses,
bradycardia can indicate a failing compensatory mechanism.
10. Question: A patient presents with a closed tibial fracture and severe pain
out of proportion to the injury. Upon palpation, the affected leg is tense. What
is the most appropriate immediate action?
A) Elevate the leg
B) Apply a tourniquet
C) Perform a fasciotomy
D) Contact the physician for possible compartment syndrome
Answer: D) Contact the physician for possible compartment syndrome
Rationale: Severe pain and a tense extremity following trauma suggest compartment
syndrome, a surgical emergency. The healthcare provider should be alerted immediately to
prevent ischemia and irreversible damage.
11. Question: A construction worker falls 15 feet and lands on his feet. He is
complaining of severe back pain. What type of injury should you be most
concerned about?
A) Cervical spine injury
B) Thoracic spine injury
C) Lumbar spine compression fracture
D) Femur fracture
Answer: C) Lumbar spine compression fracture
Rationale: Landing on the feet from a height can cause a compression fracture in the lumbar
spine due to the force transmitted through the legs and spine. This is a common mechanism
for lumbar spine injury.
12. Question: A patient involved in a bicycle accident presents with a
deformity to the midshaft of the humerus and reports numbness over the
dorsum of the hand. Which nerve is likely injured?
A) Median nerve
B) Radial nerve
C) Ulnar nerve
D) Axillary nerve
Answer: B) Radial nerve
correct
Course
Trauma fisdap
1. Question: A 25-year-old patient was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle
collision. During your assessment, you find decreased breath sounds on the
left side, distended neck veins, and hypotension. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A) Pulmonary contusion
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Tension pneumothorax
D) Flail chest
Answer: C) Tension pneumothorax
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds, distended neck veins, and hypotension are classic signs
of tension pneumothorax. This condition occurs when air becomes trapped in the pleural
cavity, increasing intrathoracic pressure and compressing the heart and great vessels.
2. Question: A patient has sustained a severe blunt trauma to the abdomen.
Which sign most strongly suggests internal bleeding?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypertension
C) Tachycardia
D) Elevated oxygen saturation
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to blood loss. The body increases
heart rate to maintain perfusion as blood volume decreases, which is often seen in internal
bleeding from abdominal trauma.
3. Question: A patient presents with burns on both arms and the chest.
According to the "Rule of Nines," approximately what percentage of the body
surface area is burned?
A) 9%
B) 18%
C) 27%
D) 36%
,Answer: C) 27%
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines, each arm accounts for 9% of body surface area,
and the chest is 18%, making a total of 27%.
4. Question: During your assessment of a head trauma patient, you observe
rapid decerebrate posturing. This finding suggests injury to which part of the
brain?
A) Cerebrum
B) Midbrain
C) Cerebellum
D) Occipital lobe
Answer: B) Midbrain
Rationale: Decerebrate posturing (extensor posturing) is typically associated with severe
damage to the brainstem, particularly the midbrain, and is often a sign of significant brain
injury.
5. Question: A patient has suffered a femur fracture after a fall from a height.
Which associated complication should you be most concerned about?
A) Compartment syndrome
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Answer: A) Compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a serious complication of fractures, especially in long
bones like the femur. Increased pressure in the muscle compartment can cause ischemia and
requires urgent intervention.
6. Question: You are treating a patient with an open chest wound. What is the
appropriate initial management to prevent a tension pneumothorax?
A) Apply a chest tube
B) Cover with a sterile, occlusive dressing on three sides
C) Apply a bulky dressing
D) Give high-flow oxygen
Answer: B) Cover with a sterile, occlusive dressing on three sides
,Rationale: A three-sided occlusive dressing is appropriate for an open chest wound. This
prevents air from entering the wound during inhalation but allows air to escape on exhalation,
reducing the risk of a tension pneumothorax.
7. Question: What is the priority when managing a patient with suspected
spinal trauma?
A) Immobilize the head and neck
B) Obtain a set of vital signs
C) Control external bleeding
D) Assess range of motion
Answer: A) Immobilize the head and neck
Rationale: Stabilizing the cervical spine is essential in trauma cases where spinal injury is
suspected. This prevents further movement that could cause spinal cord damage.
8. Question: A 40-year-old male was hit by a baseball bat to the left lower
chest. He is experiencing respiratory distress, with bruising noted in the left
flank and hypotension. What is the most likely injury?
A) Ruptured diaphragm
B) Hemothorax
C) Pulmonary contusion
D) Splenic rupture
Answer: D) Splenic rupture
Rationale: Trauma to the lower chest and flank, especially on the left side, can cause splenic
injury. The spleen is highly vascular, so rupture can lead to significant blood loss,
hypotension, and respiratory distress due to diaphragmatic irritation.
9. Question: Which patient finding is most concerning when assessing a
trauma patient with suspected hypovolemic shock?
A) Restlessness and anxiety
B) Tachypnea
C) Bradycardia
D) Decreased urine output
Answer: C) Bradycardia
, Rationale: Bradycardia in hypovolemic shock is a late and concerning finding that may
indicate decompensation. Early signs often include tachycardia, but as shock progresses,
bradycardia can indicate a failing compensatory mechanism.
10. Question: A patient presents with a closed tibial fracture and severe pain
out of proportion to the injury. Upon palpation, the affected leg is tense. What
is the most appropriate immediate action?
A) Elevate the leg
B) Apply a tourniquet
C) Perform a fasciotomy
D) Contact the physician for possible compartment syndrome
Answer: D) Contact the physician for possible compartment syndrome
Rationale: Severe pain and a tense extremity following trauma suggest compartment
syndrome, a surgical emergency. The healthcare provider should be alerted immediately to
prevent ischemia and irreversible damage.
11. Question: A construction worker falls 15 feet and lands on his feet. He is
complaining of severe back pain. What type of injury should you be most
concerned about?
A) Cervical spine injury
B) Thoracic spine injury
C) Lumbar spine compression fracture
D) Femur fracture
Answer: C) Lumbar spine compression fracture
Rationale: Landing on the feet from a height can cause a compression fracture in the lumbar
spine due to the force transmitted through the legs and spine. This is a common mechanism
for lumbar spine injury.
12. Question: A patient involved in a bicycle accident presents with a
deformity to the midshaft of the humerus and reports numbness over the
dorsum of the hand. Which nerve is likely injured?
A) Median nerve
B) Radial nerve
C) Ulnar nerve
D) Axillary nerve
Answer: B) Radial nerve
