FISDAP
EMT AND PARAMEDICS
TRAUMA UNIT EXAM
75 MultiChoice Questions and Answers +Rationales
Topics Covered
Scene size-up and mechanism of injury
Primary trauma assessment
Airway and breathing emergencies
Chest trauma
Pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax
Flail chest
Open chest wounds
Abdominal and pelvic trauma
Internal hemorrhage
Hemorrhagic shock
External bleeding control
Tourniquets and wound packing
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal trauma
Spinal-motion restriction
Fractures
Dislocations
Splinting and neurovascular assessment
Femur fractures and traction splints
Amputations
Crush injuries
Compartment syndrome
Burns
Inhalation injuries
Impaled objects
Evisceration
Neck trauma
Pediatric/geriatric considerations within trauma assessment
Rapid transport and reassessment
1. A patient involved in a high-speed motor-vehicle collision is found sitting in the
,driver's seat. What should the EMT do first?
A. Obtain a detailed medical history
B. Apply a cervical collar immediately
C. Perform a scene-size-up and assess for immediate threats
D. Begin obtaining a SAMPLE history
Correct Answer: C. Perform a scene-size-up and assess for immediate threats
Rationale: The EMT must first determine whether the scene is safe and identify
hazards. Scene size-up also determines the mechanism of injury, number of
patients, and need for additional resources. Treatment should not begin until the
crew can safely operate.
2. Which finding is most concerning for life-threatening internal bleeding after blunt
trauma?
A. Superficial abrasion
B. Warm, dry skin
C. Increasing tachycardia with pale, cool skin
D. Mild localized tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Increasing tachycardia with pale, cool skin
Rationale: Tachycardia and pale, cool skin are classic signs of compensated shock.
Internal hemorrhage may not be visible externally. A worsening pulse and skin
condition after significant trauma should increase suspicion for internal bleeding.
3. A patient has severe bleeding from the lower leg that does not stop with direct
pressure. What is the appropriate next intervention?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Elevate the leg only
C. Apply a cold pack
D. Remove any clot that has formed
Correct Answer: A. Apply a tourniquet
Rationale: Severe extremity hemorrhage that cannot be controlled with direct
pressure requires rapid hemorrhage-control measures. A commercially
manufactured tourniquet should be placed proximal to the wound according to
protocol. The EMT should document the application time and continue monitoring
the patient.
4. A patient has a large open wound to the chest with air movement through the
wound. What is the priority treatment?
A. Apply an occlusive dressing
, B. Pack the wound deeply
C. Give oral fluids
D. Apply a traction splint
Correct Answer: A. Apply an occlusive dressing
Rationale: An open chest wound can allow air to enter the thoracic cavity and
interfere with normal ventilation. An appropriate occlusive dressing helps prevent
additional air from entering. The patient must be closely monitored for signs of
developing tension pneumothorax.
5. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of tension pneumothorax?
A. Equal breath sounds bilaterally
B. Severe respiratory distress with hypotension and unilateral absent breath sounds
C. Mild chest tenderness
D. Slow pulse with warm skin
Correct Answer: B. Severe respiratory distress with hypotension and unilateral
absent breath sounds
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax can progressively compress the lungs and major
blood vessels. Severe respiratory distress, unilateral diminished or absent breath
sounds, and signs of shock are concerning findings. This is a life-threatening
emergency requiring rapid transport and appropriate advanced intervention.
6. A patient has abdominal organs protruding through an open abdominal wound.
What should the EMT do?
A. Push the organs back inside
B. Cover the organs with moist sterile dressings and an appropriate occlusive
covering
C. Apply direct pressure directly over the organs
D. Give the patient water
Correct Answer: B. Cover the organs with moist sterile dressings and an
appropriate occlusive covering
Rationale: Eviscerated organs should never be pushed back into the abdominal
cavity. They should be protected from contamination and drying with appropriate
sterile dressings. The EMT should monitor for shock and transport rapidly.
7. Which mechanism of injury should raise the greatest concern for spinal injury?
A. Patient tripped while walking
B. Patient struck the knee against a table
C. High-energy collision with significant vehicle intrusion
D. Minor injury to the forearm
EMT AND PARAMEDICS
TRAUMA UNIT EXAM
75 MultiChoice Questions and Answers +Rationales
Topics Covered
Scene size-up and mechanism of injury
Primary trauma assessment
Airway and breathing emergencies
Chest trauma
Pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax
Flail chest
Open chest wounds
Abdominal and pelvic trauma
Internal hemorrhage
Hemorrhagic shock
External bleeding control
Tourniquets and wound packing
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal trauma
Spinal-motion restriction
Fractures
Dislocations
Splinting and neurovascular assessment
Femur fractures and traction splints
Amputations
Crush injuries
Compartment syndrome
Burns
Inhalation injuries
Impaled objects
Evisceration
Neck trauma
Pediatric/geriatric considerations within trauma assessment
Rapid transport and reassessment
1. A patient involved in a high-speed motor-vehicle collision is found sitting in the
,driver's seat. What should the EMT do first?
A. Obtain a detailed medical history
B. Apply a cervical collar immediately
C. Perform a scene-size-up and assess for immediate threats
D. Begin obtaining a SAMPLE history
Correct Answer: C. Perform a scene-size-up and assess for immediate threats
Rationale: The EMT must first determine whether the scene is safe and identify
hazards. Scene size-up also determines the mechanism of injury, number of
patients, and need for additional resources. Treatment should not begin until the
crew can safely operate.
2. Which finding is most concerning for life-threatening internal bleeding after blunt
trauma?
A. Superficial abrasion
B. Warm, dry skin
C. Increasing tachycardia with pale, cool skin
D. Mild localized tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Increasing tachycardia with pale, cool skin
Rationale: Tachycardia and pale, cool skin are classic signs of compensated shock.
Internal hemorrhage may not be visible externally. A worsening pulse and skin
condition after significant trauma should increase suspicion for internal bleeding.
3. A patient has severe bleeding from the lower leg that does not stop with direct
pressure. What is the appropriate next intervention?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Elevate the leg only
C. Apply a cold pack
D. Remove any clot that has formed
Correct Answer: A. Apply a tourniquet
Rationale: Severe extremity hemorrhage that cannot be controlled with direct
pressure requires rapid hemorrhage-control measures. A commercially
manufactured tourniquet should be placed proximal to the wound according to
protocol. The EMT should document the application time and continue monitoring
the patient.
4. A patient has a large open wound to the chest with air movement through the
wound. What is the priority treatment?
A. Apply an occlusive dressing
, B. Pack the wound deeply
C. Give oral fluids
D. Apply a traction splint
Correct Answer: A. Apply an occlusive dressing
Rationale: An open chest wound can allow air to enter the thoracic cavity and
interfere with normal ventilation. An appropriate occlusive dressing helps prevent
additional air from entering. The patient must be closely monitored for signs of
developing tension pneumothorax.
5. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of tension pneumothorax?
A. Equal breath sounds bilaterally
B. Severe respiratory distress with hypotension and unilateral absent breath sounds
C. Mild chest tenderness
D. Slow pulse with warm skin
Correct Answer: B. Severe respiratory distress with hypotension and unilateral
absent breath sounds
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax can progressively compress the lungs and major
blood vessels. Severe respiratory distress, unilateral diminished or absent breath
sounds, and signs of shock are concerning findings. This is a life-threatening
emergency requiring rapid transport and appropriate advanced intervention.
6. A patient has abdominal organs protruding through an open abdominal wound.
What should the EMT do?
A. Push the organs back inside
B. Cover the organs with moist sterile dressings and an appropriate occlusive
covering
C. Apply direct pressure directly over the organs
D. Give the patient water
Correct Answer: B. Cover the organs with moist sterile dressings and an
appropriate occlusive covering
Rationale: Eviscerated organs should never be pushed back into the abdominal
cavity. They should be protected from contamination and drying with appropriate
sterile dressings. The EMT should monitor for shock and transport rapidly.
7. Which mechanism of injury should raise the greatest concern for spinal injury?
A. Patient tripped while walking
B. Patient struck the knee against a table
C. High-energy collision with significant vehicle intrusion
D. Minor injury to the forearm
