Paramedic Trauma
PARAMEDIC TRAUMA FISDAP 2025
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
If you see a cracked windshield in a MVC... what will the pt represent with? - Bruised or
lacerated head or face. Brain injury, *cervical spine injury (always until proven
otherwise), tracheal injury.
If you see a deformed steering column in a MVC... what will the pt represent with? -
Bruised neck, bruised chest. Sternal or rib fracture, flail chest, myocardial contusion,
*pericardial tamponade, pneumo/hemothorax, aortic tear.
If you see a deformed dashboard in a MVC... what will the pt represent with? - Bruised
abdomen, bruised knee, misplaced kneecap. Ruptured spleen, liver, bowel, diaphragm.
Fractured patella, dislocated knee, *femoral fracture, dislocated hip.
If you see the rear end of the vehicle is damaged in a MVC... what will the pt represent
with? - Secondary anterior injuries, esp if the pt wasn't restrained. "Wiplash" injuries,
*coup contrecoup injury.
Phases of Deceleration - 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.
Paramedic Trauma
, Paramedic Trauma
Velocity - "Speed kills"- causes more damage than mass.
Seat Belt Use - All arguments against seat belt use are unfounded.
Airbag Injuries - Common injuries include abrasions to the face, chest and arms. Minor
corrosive effects can occur because of the cornstarch on the airbag, and it may irritate the
skin.
Down and Under Pathway - Occupant slides under the steering wheel or the dash. The
knees hit the dashboard, and transmit energy up the leg, to the femur/pelvis. If the feet are
locked in place, it can cause femur fractures.
Up and Over Pathway - Chest hits the steering wheel, head hits the windshield and
anterior portion of the throat hits the top of the steering wheel. Can cause significant head
and neck injuries.
Head on Impact in Motorcycle Crashes - Head on impact- motorcycle strikes another
object and stops its forward motion, while the rider continues forward motion until
stopped by outside force. This causes the rider to go over the handlebars, which causes
femur fractures, and tib fractures.
Angular Impact in Motorcycle Crashes - The motorcycle strikes an object, or another
vehicle at an angel so that the rider sustains direct crushing injuries to the lower extremity
between the object and motorcycle.
Motorcycle Crashes - With any motorcycle crash, the helmet should be removed carefully
if airway management techniques cannot be performed with the helmet in place or the
helmet doesn't fit properly on the riders head.
Paramedic Trauma
, Paramedic Trauma
Pedestrian Injuries - Most pedestrian injuries occur at an intersection, at night. First, the
pedestrian is hit in the lower extremities with the cars bumpers. Second, the pedestrian is
thrown on the top of the car (resulting in brain injuries, and pelvic fractures. Third, the
pedestrian hits the ground or some other object after rolling off the top or the side of the
vehicle.
Waddell Triad - Refers to the pattern of automobile pedestrian injuries in children and
people of short stature; 1) bumper hits the pelvis/femur instead of the knees, 2) the chest
& abdomen hit the grill or low on the hood of the car (sternal & rib fractures), 3) the pt's
face hits the hood, then flies back, and hits the ground.
Fall Severity Factors - 1) Height- determines the velocity of the fall. A fall greater than 15
feet or 2.5-3 times the pt's height will have a greater injury & higher rate of death. 2)
Position- children usually land on their heads (more mass), and adults tend to try to land
on their feet, cause spinal injuries "Don Juan Syndrome or Lovers Leap". 3) Surface-
Snow vs. Concrete.
Blunt Trauma - Refers to injuries in which the tissues are not penetrated by an external
object.
Penetrating Trauma - Involves a disruption of the skin and underlying tissues in a small,
focused area. Most common cause of penetrating trauma- GSW.
Stab Wounds - Severity of the stab wound depends on the anatomic area involved, depth
of penetration, blade length and angle of penetration.
Paramedic Trauma
PARAMEDIC TRAUMA FISDAP 2025
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
If you see a cracked windshield in a MVC... what will the pt represent with? - Bruised or
lacerated head or face. Brain injury, *cervical spine injury (always until proven
otherwise), tracheal injury.
If you see a deformed steering column in a MVC... what will the pt represent with? -
Bruised neck, bruised chest. Sternal or rib fracture, flail chest, myocardial contusion,
*pericardial tamponade, pneumo/hemothorax, aortic tear.
If you see a deformed dashboard in a MVC... what will the pt represent with? - Bruised
abdomen, bruised knee, misplaced kneecap. Ruptured spleen, liver, bowel, diaphragm.
Fractured patella, dislocated knee, *femoral fracture, dislocated hip.
If you see the rear end of the vehicle is damaged in a MVC... what will the pt represent
with? - Secondary anterior injuries, esp if the pt wasn't restrained. "Wiplash" injuries,
*coup contrecoup injury.
Phases of Deceleration - 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.
Paramedic Trauma
, Paramedic Trauma
Velocity - "Speed kills"- causes more damage than mass.
Seat Belt Use - All arguments against seat belt use are unfounded.
Airbag Injuries - Common injuries include abrasions to the face, chest and arms. Minor
corrosive effects can occur because of the cornstarch on the airbag, and it may irritate the
skin.
Down and Under Pathway - Occupant slides under the steering wheel or the dash. The
knees hit the dashboard, and transmit energy up the leg, to the femur/pelvis. If the feet are
locked in place, it can cause femur fractures.
Up and Over Pathway - Chest hits the steering wheel, head hits the windshield and
anterior portion of the throat hits the top of the steering wheel. Can cause significant head
and neck injuries.
Head on Impact in Motorcycle Crashes - Head on impact- motorcycle strikes another
object and stops its forward motion, while the rider continues forward motion until
stopped by outside force. This causes the rider to go over the handlebars, which causes
femur fractures, and tib fractures.
Angular Impact in Motorcycle Crashes - The motorcycle strikes an object, or another
vehicle at an angel so that the rider sustains direct crushing injuries to the lower extremity
between the object and motorcycle.
Motorcycle Crashes - With any motorcycle crash, the helmet should be removed carefully
if airway management techniques cannot be performed with the helmet in place or the
helmet doesn't fit properly on the riders head.
Paramedic Trauma
, Paramedic Trauma
Pedestrian Injuries - Most pedestrian injuries occur at an intersection, at night. First, the
pedestrian is hit in the lower extremities with the cars bumpers. Second, the pedestrian is
thrown on the top of the car (resulting in brain injuries, and pelvic fractures. Third, the
pedestrian hits the ground or some other object after rolling off the top or the side of the
vehicle.
Waddell Triad - Refers to the pattern of automobile pedestrian injuries in children and
people of short stature; 1) bumper hits the pelvis/femur instead of the knees, 2) the chest
& abdomen hit the grill or low on the hood of the car (sternal & rib fractures), 3) the pt's
face hits the hood, then flies back, and hits the ground.
Fall Severity Factors - 1) Height- determines the velocity of the fall. A fall greater than 15
feet or 2.5-3 times the pt's height will have a greater injury & higher rate of death. 2)
Position- children usually land on their heads (more mass), and adults tend to try to land
on their feet, cause spinal injuries "Don Juan Syndrome or Lovers Leap". 3) Surface-
Snow vs. Concrete.
Blunt Trauma - Refers to injuries in which the tissues are not penetrated by an external
object.
Penetrating Trauma - Involves a disruption of the skin and underlying tissues in a small,
focused area. Most common cause of penetrating trauma- GSW.
Stab Wounds - Severity of the stab wound depends on the anatomic area involved, depth
of penetration, blade length and angle of penetration.
Paramedic Trauma
