EMT TRAUMA EXAM: STUDY GUIDE
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
right upper quadrant - ANSWER-liver, gall bladder
right lower quadrant - ANSWER-appendix, ascending colon
left upper quadrant - ANSWER-stomach, spleen, small intestine
left lower quadrant - ANSWER-descending colon
Treatment of an abdominal evisceration - ANSWER-Apply a moist sterile dressing
over the evisceration. Do not attempt to put the organs back in.
Assessment for a non life threatening injury - ANSWER-stay on scene
need for rapid extrication - ANSWER-if there is significant bleeding, respiratory
distress
need for a tourniquet - ANSWER-apply pressure, elevate, pulse point pressure; if
none of those work then apply a tourniquet
hemorrhagic shock signs/symptoms - ANSWER-control all obvious bleeding, lie flat
on back with feet elevated 6"- 12", maintain temperature
Hypovolemic shock - ANSWER-low blood volume, due to massive internal or
external
bleeding or extensive loss of body water, results in inadequate perfusion
pericardial tamponade signs/symptoms - ANSWER-Narrowing pulse pressure, JVD,
Chest pain, Decreased heart sounds
tension pneumothorax - ANSWER-ongoing air accumulation in the pleural space,
eventually causes the complete collapse of the affected lung and then pushing the
mediastinum into the opposite pleural cavity. Decrease in cardiac output, causes
shock, occurs commonly as a result of closed blunt trauma to the chest. Rib
lacerates a lung or bronchus.
Head and Neck Trauma; obtaining an open airway - ANSWER-jaw thrust, OPA/NPA,
suction as necessary
neurogenic shock - ANSWER-Shock due to damage to the spinal cord; controls the
size and muscular tone of the blood vessels, blood vessels below the level of injury
dilate
neurogenic shock signs/symptoms - ANSWER-bradycardia, low blood pressure,
signs of neck injury, absence of sweating below the level of the injury
, basilar skull fracture signs/symptoms - ANSWER-bruising behind the ear, battles
sign, raccoon eyes
traumatic brain injury signs/symptoms - ANSWER-irregular breathing pattern, failure
of the pupils to respond to light, unequal pupil size, combative behavior
tension pneumothorax signs/symptoms - ANSWER-increasing respiratory distress,
ALOC, distended neck veins, deviation of the trachea, tachychardia, low blood
pressure, cyanosis, decreased breath sounds
cardiac contusion signs/symptoms - ANSWER-irregular pulse rate, blunt injury to the
chest
Treatment for an open chest wound - ANSWER-occlusive dressing
Opening the airway for a facial trauma patient - ANSWER-jaw thrust. OPA, NPA
Airway adjuncts for an unconscious facial trauma patient - ANSWER-OPA, NPA
Treatment for a scalp laceration - ANSWER-control bleeding, gentle pressure, sterile
dressing
avulsion Tx - ANSWER-put skin where it should be if still attached, apply direct
pressure, use a roller bandage, splint the extremity
Identify and treat hemorrhagic shock - ANSWER-patient has a poor general
appearance and is calm, assessment reveals symptoms of hypoperfusion, significant
blood loss, low BP, increased pulse, irregular breathing
Indications for removing a helmet - ANSWER-impending airway or breathing
problems, it interferes with the assessment and treatment of airway or ventilation
problems, you can't properly immobilize the spine
Indications to perform a rapid extrication - ANSWER-the vehicle or scene is unsafe,
explosives or other hazardous materials are on the scene, there is a fire or danger of
fire, the patient cannot be properly assessed before being removed from car, patient
needs to be in the supine position, life threatening condition that requires immediate
transport to the hospital, the patient blocks access to another seriously injured
patient
Procedure for spinal immobilization - ANSWER-hold manual c-spine, put collar on,
roll patient onto board, chest straps first, immobilize head to the board
Orthopedic Trauma: Assessing the mechanism of injury - ANSWER-identify and
manage life threats, ABC's
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
right upper quadrant - ANSWER-liver, gall bladder
right lower quadrant - ANSWER-appendix, ascending colon
left upper quadrant - ANSWER-stomach, spleen, small intestine
left lower quadrant - ANSWER-descending colon
Treatment of an abdominal evisceration - ANSWER-Apply a moist sterile dressing
over the evisceration. Do not attempt to put the organs back in.
Assessment for a non life threatening injury - ANSWER-stay on scene
need for rapid extrication - ANSWER-if there is significant bleeding, respiratory
distress
need for a tourniquet - ANSWER-apply pressure, elevate, pulse point pressure; if
none of those work then apply a tourniquet
hemorrhagic shock signs/symptoms - ANSWER-control all obvious bleeding, lie flat
on back with feet elevated 6"- 12", maintain temperature
Hypovolemic shock - ANSWER-low blood volume, due to massive internal or
external
bleeding or extensive loss of body water, results in inadequate perfusion
pericardial tamponade signs/symptoms - ANSWER-Narrowing pulse pressure, JVD,
Chest pain, Decreased heart sounds
tension pneumothorax - ANSWER-ongoing air accumulation in the pleural space,
eventually causes the complete collapse of the affected lung and then pushing the
mediastinum into the opposite pleural cavity. Decrease in cardiac output, causes
shock, occurs commonly as a result of closed blunt trauma to the chest. Rib
lacerates a lung or bronchus.
Head and Neck Trauma; obtaining an open airway - ANSWER-jaw thrust, OPA/NPA,
suction as necessary
neurogenic shock - ANSWER-Shock due to damage to the spinal cord; controls the
size and muscular tone of the blood vessels, blood vessels below the level of injury
dilate
neurogenic shock signs/symptoms - ANSWER-bradycardia, low blood pressure,
signs of neck injury, absence of sweating below the level of the injury
, basilar skull fracture signs/symptoms - ANSWER-bruising behind the ear, battles
sign, raccoon eyes
traumatic brain injury signs/symptoms - ANSWER-irregular breathing pattern, failure
of the pupils to respond to light, unequal pupil size, combative behavior
tension pneumothorax signs/symptoms - ANSWER-increasing respiratory distress,
ALOC, distended neck veins, deviation of the trachea, tachychardia, low blood
pressure, cyanosis, decreased breath sounds
cardiac contusion signs/symptoms - ANSWER-irregular pulse rate, blunt injury to the
chest
Treatment for an open chest wound - ANSWER-occlusive dressing
Opening the airway for a facial trauma patient - ANSWER-jaw thrust. OPA, NPA
Airway adjuncts for an unconscious facial trauma patient - ANSWER-OPA, NPA
Treatment for a scalp laceration - ANSWER-control bleeding, gentle pressure, sterile
dressing
avulsion Tx - ANSWER-put skin where it should be if still attached, apply direct
pressure, use a roller bandage, splint the extremity
Identify and treat hemorrhagic shock - ANSWER-patient has a poor general
appearance and is calm, assessment reveals symptoms of hypoperfusion, significant
blood loss, low BP, increased pulse, irregular breathing
Indications for removing a helmet - ANSWER-impending airway or breathing
problems, it interferes with the assessment and treatment of airway or ventilation
problems, you can't properly immobilize the spine
Indications to perform a rapid extrication - ANSWER-the vehicle or scene is unsafe,
explosives or other hazardous materials are on the scene, there is a fire or danger of
fire, the patient cannot be properly assessed before being removed from car, patient
needs to be in the supine position, life threatening condition that requires immediate
transport to the hospital, the patient blocks access to another seriously injured
patient
Procedure for spinal immobilization - ANSWER-hold manual c-spine, put collar on,
roll patient onto board, chest straps first, immobilize head to the board
Orthopedic Trauma: Assessing the mechanism of injury - ANSWER-identify and
manage life threats, ABC's
