Acute trauma diagnoses

Question 1

CC: severe headache, change in mental status
Diagnosed by: CT head

Answer 1

Hemorrhagic CVA

Rupture of the blood vessels in the head leading to bleeding in the brain

Question 2

CC: neck or back pain, bilateral extremity weakness
Diagnosed by: CT C-spine, T-spine, and or L-spine

Answer 2

Spinal cord injury

Bruise partial, tear or complete tear of the spinal cord

Question 3

Cc: SOB, one side of chest pain
Diagnosed by: CXR

Answer 3

Pneumothorax

Collapsed lung

Question 4

Cc: abdominal pain, abdominal distention
Diagnosed by: CT abdomen

Answer 4

Internal organ injury (spleen, liver)

Rupture leading to hemorrhage or bleeding

Question 5

Cc: pain, swelling, bruising, use limitation
Diagnosed by: x-ray

Answer 5

Fracture

Trauma creates pain/swelling