Section 3 Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 in developed countries?
Trauma remains the leading cause of death in this age group.
What percentage of deaths is caused by trauma?
Trauma causes 9% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the trimodal distribution of trauma deaths?
Immediate deaths (50%), early deaths (30%), and late deaths (20%).
What is the primary survey in trauma assessment?
ABCDE: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure.
What is the purpose of the secondary survey in trauma?
To perform a head-to-toe examination to identify all injuries after life-threatening issues are managed.
What imaging modality is preferred for assessing intra-abdominal bleeding in trauma?
Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) ultrasound.
What is the significance of the ‘Golden Hour’ in trauma care?
It is the critical period where timely medical intervention can significantly increase survival rates.
What is the goal of a mature trauma system?
To transfer ‘the right patient to the right level of care in the shortest time’.
What are the four H’s and four T’s of reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hypothermia, Hyper/Hypokalemia, Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade (cardiac), Toxins, Thrombosis (pulmonary or coronary).
What is the primary goal of trauma resuscitation?
To restore perfusion and oxygenation to prevent further injury and optimize recovery.
What is the mechanism of injury (MOI) and why is it important?
MOI refers to the method by which damage or injury occurs, crucial for predicting potential injuries.
What is the purpose of spinal immobilization in trauma care?
To prevent further spinal damage during patient movement and transport.
What are the clinical signs of a basilar skull fracture?
Raccoon eyes, Battle’s sign, CSF otorrhea or rhinorrhea, and hemotympanum.
What is the purpose of a pelvic binder in trauma?
To stabilize pelvic fractures and control hemorrhage.
What is permissive hypotension and when is it used?
A strategy where blood pressure is kept lower than normal to minimize bleeding until hemorrhage control is achieved.
What are the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome?
Pain out of proportion, paresthesia, pallor, paralysis, pulselessness, and pressure.
What is the recommended management for open fractures in trauma?
Immediate irrigation, debridement, antibiotic administration, and surgical intervention.
What is the role of tranexamic acid in trauma care?
To reduce bleeding by inhibiting fibrinolysis in hemorrhagic patients.
What is the role of emergency thoracotomy?
To relieve cardiac tamponade, control massive hemorrhage, and restore circulation in select cases of trauma.
What are the indications for intubation in trauma patients?
Airway obstruction, severe traumatic brain injury, respiratory failure, and inability to protect the airway.
What is the importance of chest decompression in trauma?
It is critical for relieving tension pneumothorax and improving ventilation.
What are the primary methods for chest decompression?
Needle thoracostomy and chest tube insertion.
How is hemorrhagic shock managed in trauma?
Through fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion, and controlling bleeding sources.
What is the role of damage control surgery (DCS) in trauma?
To stabilize life-threatening injuries and control bleeding before definitive surgery.
