Exam 28: Bleeding and Soft Tissue Trauma

A middle-aged male's arm became caught in a grinding machine, and then immediately removed by coworkers. As you approach the patient, you note him to be holding a bloody towel over a severely deformed right arm. The patient is alert and anxious, and he has a patent airway. His breathing is adequate and his left radial pulse is fast and strong. You note his skin to be cool and diaphoretic. Of the following, which would be done first for this patient?

Prior to your arrival on the scene of a motorcycle crash, an Emergency Medical Responder contacts you via radio and reports that there is one patient who has an avulsion to her left arm. As a knowledgeable EMT, you should anticipate which one of the following?

Which of the following signs and symptoms of shock will be observed last?

A 28-year-old male was cutting limbs from a tree when he lost his footing and fell 20 feet. He is unresponsive and breathing poorly at 28 times per minute. His radial pulse is weak and thready and his skin is cool to the touch. Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) have placed him on a nonrebreather face mask and are holding manual in-line stabilization. A blanket has also been applied and covers the man. Based on these assessment findings, what instruction would you give to the EMRs?

Severe external bleeding should be controlled during what phase of the patient assessment?

You are called for an 8-year-old boy who has fallen. On scene the boy's mother states that he was running while flying a kite and tripped, striking his face on a rock. Assessment reveals a large reddish-blue lump with intact skin under his left eye. When alerting the hospital emergency department of your arrival, you should inform them that the patient has what type of injury?

What statement regarding contusions is true?

When performing the primary assessment, which of the following signs or symptoms best suggests that the patient is in shock?

A patient sustained a crush injury after being struck with a baseball bat in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Assessment shows bruising to that area with instability noted to the rib cage. The EMT's highest concern regarding this injury should be:

A small metal rod was shot from a metal lathe and is impaled in a man's inner thigh. Assessment indicates that there is no active bleeding from the site, but the surrounding tissues are ecchymotic. The paramedic asks you to stabilize the rod with bulky dressings. You recognize this action as important because it will:

A patient has suffered an open crush injury to his elbow. As you approach, you note the patient sitting upright holding a towel to his elbow. Although the towel is soaked with blood, the elbow does not appear to be actively bleeding. Your first action in caring for this patient should be to:

A 62-year-old male was the restrained driver of a car that was hit on the driver's side. Emergency Medical Responders have extricated and fully immobilized him with a cervical collar and long board. When asked, he complains of dizziness as well as leg and arm pain. Assessment reveals multiple contusions and deformity to his left forearm and a laceration with minor bleeding to the left side of his face. His airway is open and his breathing is labored. A rapid radial pulse is felt. Skin is cool and dry. What assessment finding would the EMT address first?

When assessing a patient, you note a bruise to his chest. On the prehospital care report, this injury is properly documented as:

A male patient has been shot in the chest with a small-caliber gun. What presentation indicates that he is in an early stage of shock?