PARAMEDIC TRAUMA FISDAP EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT RATED A+
1. Cracked Windshield ("Bull's-Eye" Pattern)
Pathway: Up-and-Over Pathway (Unrestrained Occupant)
External Physical Signs: Lacerations, abrasions, or severe contusions to the
scalp, forehead, and face.
Suspected Internal/Life-Threatening Injuries:
o Cervical Spine Injury: Assume spinal compromise in all cases until
clinically ruled out.
o Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Concussion, cerebral contusion,
epidural/subdural hematoma.
o Airway/Neck Trauma: Tracheal fracture or laryngeal disruption due
to direct blunt impact against the dashboard or windshield.
2. Deformed Steering Column or Wheel
Pathway: Straight-On / Up-and-Over Pathway (Chest Impact)
External Physical Signs: Contusions (bruising) across the anterior chest
wall, ecchymosis over the sternum, abrasions matching steering wheel
contour.
Suspected Internal/Life-Threatening Injuries:
o Bony Thoracic Trauma: Sternal fractures, rib fractures, and flail
chest (paradoxical wall motion).
o Cardiothoracic Injuries: Myocardial contusion (leading to
dysrhythmias), pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad).
o Pulmonary Injuries: Pneumothorax (simple or tension), hemothorax,
and pulmonary contusion.
, o Vascular Trauma: Traumatic aortic disruption or aortic shear injury
(rapid deceleration).
3. Deformed Dashboard
Pathway: Down-and-Under Pathway (Lower Body & Abdominal Impact)
External Physical Signs: Bruising/ecchymosis to the lower abdomen, flank,
knees, or mid-thighs; visibly displaced or deformed kneecap.
Suspected Internal/Life-Threatening Injuries:
o Abdominal Visceral Trauma: Ruptured solid organs (spleen, liver)
causing intra-abdominal hemorrhage; hollow organ rupture
(small/large bowel, stomach); diaphragmatic rupture.
o Lower Extremity Fractures: Patellar fracture, femoral shaft/neck
fracture, and knee dislocation.
o Pelvic Trauma: Posterior hip dislocation (axial force transmitted
through the knee along the femur into the acetabulum) and complex
pelvic fractures.
Phases of Deceleration -ANSWER ✔✔1) Deceleration of the vehicle, occurs
when the vehicle strikes another object & comes to a stop. 2) Deceleration of
occupant, which starts during sudden braking & continues through the whole
crash. 3) Deceleration of internal organs, that consist of internal organs that
continue forward momentum until they're stopped by anatomical restraints. 4)
Secondary collisions, which occur when a vehicle occupant is hit by objects
moving within the vehicle (loose objects). 5) Additional impacts, that the
vehicle may receive when it is hit by a second vehicle or is deflected into
another.
Seat Belt Use -ANSWER ✔✔All arguments against seat belt use are
unfounded.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT RATED A+
1. Cracked Windshield ("Bull's-Eye" Pattern)
Pathway: Up-and-Over Pathway (Unrestrained Occupant)
External Physical Signs: Lacerations, abrasions, or severe contusions to the
scalp, forehead, and face.
Suspected Internal/Life-Threatening Injuries:
o Cervical Spine Injury: Assume spinal compromise in all cases until
clinically ruled out.
o Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Concussion, cerebral contusion,
epidural/subdural hematoma.
o Airway/Neck Trauma: Tracheal fracture or laryngeal disruption due
to direct blunt impact against the dashboard or windshield.
2. Deformed Steering Column or Wheel
Pathway: Straight-On / Up-and-Over Pathway (Chest Impact)
External Physical Signs: Contusions (bruising) across the anterior chest
wall, ecchymosis over the sternum, abrasions matching steering wheel
contour.
Suspected Internal/Life-Threatening Injuries:
o Bony Thoracic Trauma: Sternal fractures, rib fractures, and flail
chest (paradoxical wall motion).
o Cardiothoracic Injuries: Myocardial contusion (leading to
dysrhythmias), pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad).
o Pulmonary Injuries: Pneumothorax (simple or tension), hemothorax,
and pulmonary contusion.
, o Vascular Trauma: Traumatic aortic disruption or aortic shear injury
(rapid deceleration).
3. Deformed Dashboard
Pathway: Down-and-Under Pathway (Lower Body & Abdominal Impact)
External Physical Signs: Bruising/ecchymosis to the lower abdomen, flank,
knees, or mid-thighs; visibly displaced or deformed kneecap.
Suspected Internal/Life-Threatening Injuries:
o Abdominal Visceral Trauma: Ruptured solid organs (spleen, liver)
causing intra-abdominal hemorrhage; hollow organ rupture
(small/large bowel, stomach); diaphragmatic rupture.
o Lower Extremity Fractures: Patellar fracture, femoral shaft/neck
fracture, and knee dislocation.
o Pelvic Trauma: Posterior hip dislocation (axial force transmitted
through the knee along the femur into the acetabulum) and complex
pelvic fractures.
Phases of Deceleration -ANSWER ✔✔1) Deceleration of the vehicle, occurs
when the vehicle strikes another object & comes to a stop. 2) Deceleration of
occupant, which starts during sudden braking & continues through the whole
crash. 3) Deceleration of internal organs, that consist of internal organs that
continue forward momentum until they're stopped by anatomical restraints. 4)
Secondary collisions, which occur when a vehicle occupant is hit by objects
moving within the vehicle (loose objects). 5) Additional impacts, that the
vehicle may receive when it is hit by a second vehicle or is deflected into
another.
Seat Belt Use -ANSWER ✔✔All arguments against seat belt use are
unfounded.
