HUSKY DILF posted:

The use of limited transthoracic echocardiography during the initial phase of resuscitation in trauma patients increases.....?

E) overall mortality rate.



A 35-year-old man is the restrained driver in a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He presents with a heart rate of 120 beats per minute, blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg, respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. Primary survey is notable for a patent and protected airway, equal breath sounds bilaterally, and 1+ distal pulses. The patient has diffuse abdominal tenderness and moderate left-sided chest wall tenderness. Portable anterior–posterior chest x-ray shows a mediastinum of 8.5 cm that is otherwise unremarkable. Focused abdominal sonogram for trauma (FAST) is positive for intraperitoneal fluid. After administration of 2 units of uncrossed O-negative blood, his vitals remain unchanged. The next step in his management should be....?

B) CT angiogram of the chest.


An 84-year-old woman presents after a low-speed motor vehicle crash in which she was the restrained passenger in a head-on collision traveling 25 mph. Her vital signs on admission are notable for a heart rate of 80 beats per minute, systolic blood pressure of 125 mm Hg, respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, SpO2 of 96%, and Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. She complains of moderate left-sided chest wall pain. Primary and secondary surveys are notable only for left chest wall bruising and tenderness. Upright chest x-ray shows mildly displaced fractures of ribs 2–6 laterally on the left side. Which of the following statements is true regarding the care of this patient?

C) Placement of a thoracic epidural catheter may reduce her risk of mortality.