Chapter 27
Which of the following statements regarding hemothorax is correct? A. It can only be treated by a surgeon B. It results from a collection of air in the pleural space C. Breath sounds tend to be equal D. It is not typically associated with shock
A. It can only be treated by a surgeon
Which of the following is NOT a pertinent negative to note during your assessment of a patient with chest trauma? A. No heart murmurs B. No associated shortness of breath C. No rapid breathing D. No areas of deformity
A. No heart murmurs
Closed chest injuries are typically caused by _______. Select one: A. blunt trauma. B. penetrating trauma. C. High-velocity weapons. D. flying debris.
A. blunt trauma.
You respond to an 18 year old man who has been assaulted with a baseball bat. He was hit in the chest. He is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. This condition is most likely related to: A. commotio cordis B. cardiac tamponade C. pnumonthorax D. traumatic asphyxia
A. commontio cordis
The ______ separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. A. diaphragm B. mediastinum C. xyphoid process D. inferior border of the ribs
A. diaphragm
A patient with blunt trauma who is holding the lateral side of his chest and has rapid and shallow respirations is most likely suffering from: A. rib fractures B. a sternal fracture C. a pneumothorax D. a pulmonary contusion
A. rib fractures
While jogging, a 19-year-old male experienced an acute onset of shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain. He is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. Your assessment reveals that he has diminished breath sounds over the left side of the chest. You should: A. administer oxygen and transport to the hospital. B. immediately perform a rapid head-to-toe exam. C. recognize that he needs a needle decompression. D. circumferentially tape a dressing around his chest.
Answer: A Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 946
A 37-year-old male was pinned between a flatbed truck and a loading dock. On exam, you find bruising to the chest, distended neck veins, bilaterally diminished breath sounds, and bilateral scleral hemorrhaging. You should: A. aggressively manage his airway. B. request a paramedic ambulance. C. perform a secondary assessment. D. suspect a severe hemopneumothorax.
Answer: A Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 951
Pleural fluid is contained between the: A. visceral and parietal pleurae. B. parietal pleura and the heart. C. visceral pleura and the lung. D. parietal pleura and the chest wall.
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 936
The thoracic cavity is separated from the abdominal cavity by the: A. diaphragm. B. anterior rib cage. C. intercostal margin. D. costovertebral angle.
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 937
Irritation or damage to the pleural surfaces that causes sharp chest pain during inhalation is called: A. pleurisy. B. dyspnea. C. pneumonitis. D. pneumothorax.
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 940
A spontaneous pneumothorax would MOST likely occur as the result of: A. exertion of a person with a congenital lung defect. B. excessive coughing in a patient with pneumonitis. C. abnormally slow breathing in a patient with pleurisy. D. blunt or penetrating trauma to the anterior chest wall.
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 946
A flail chest occurs when: A. a segment of the chest wall is detached from the thoracic cage. B. more than three ribs are fractured on the same side of the chest. C. multiple ribs are fractured on both sides of the thoracic cage. D. a segment of fractured ribs bulges during the inhalation phase.
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 949
Patients with rib fractures will commonly: A. breathe rapidly and shallowly. B. take a series of deep breaths. C. prefer to lie in a supine position. D. develop a sucking chest wound.
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 949
Following a stab wound to the left anterior chest, a 25-year-old male presents with a decreased level of consciousness and signs of shock. Which of the following additional assessment findings should increase your index of suspicion for a cardiac tamponade? A. engorged jugular veins B. widening pulse pressure C. diminished breath sounds D. a rapid, irregular pulse
Answer: A Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 948-949
A 19-year-old male is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless after being struck in the center of the chest with a softball. Based on the mechanism of injury, what MOST likely occurred? A. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the cardiac cycle B. asystole secondary to massive intrathoracic hemorrhage due to traumatic rupture of the aorta C. fracture of the sternum that caused a rupture of the myocardium and led to a cardiac dysrhythmia D. collapse of both lungs due to fractured ribs that perforated the lung tissue and caused cardiac arrest
Answer: A Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 952
Which of the following organs or structures does NOT reside within the mediastinum? A. lungs B. trachea C. vena cavae D. esophagus
Answer: A Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 936
You have sealed the open chest wound of a 40-year-old male who was stabbed in the anterior chest. Your reassessment reveals that he is experiencing increasing respiratory distress and tachycardia, and is developing cyanosis. You should: A. begin ventilatory assistance. B. partially remove the dressing. C. begin rapid transport at once. D. call for a paramedic ambulance.
Answer: B Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 946
A 28-year-old male was struck in the chest with a baseball bat during an altercation. He is conscious and alert and complains of severe chest pain. Your assessment reveals a large area of ecchymosis over the sternum and a rapid, irregular pulse. In addition to applying 100% oxygen, you should: A. apply an automated external defibrillator (AED) and take his blood pressure. B. prepare for immediate transport. C. determine if he has cardiac problems. D. apply bulky dressings to the sternum.
Answer: B Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 951
When a person is lying supine at the end of exhalation, the diaphragm: A. contracts and flattens inferiorly. B. may rise as high as the nipple line. C. is less prone to penetrating trauma. D. descends below the level of the navel.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 935
Common signs and symptoms of a chest injury include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. tachypnea. B. hematemesis. C. localized pain. D. chest wall ecchymosis.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 939
Hemoptysis is defined as: A. vomiting blood. B. coughing up blood. C. abnormal blood clotting. D. blood in the pleural space.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 939
An open pneumothorax occurs when: A. a fractured rib perforates the tissue of the lung. B. air enters the pleural space from outside the body. C. extreme pleural pressure causes the lung to rupture. D. air enters the pleural space from a perforated lung.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 945
Signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. profound cyanosis. B. collapsed jugular veins. C. bulging intercostal muscles. D. unilaterally absent breath sounds.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 947
A rapid, irregular pulse following blunt trauma to the chest is MOST suggestive of a: A. ruptured aorta. B. myocardial contusion. C. pericardial tamponade. D. tension pneumothorax.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 951
If a person's tidal volume decreases, but his or her respiratory rate remains unchanged: A. minute volume will increase. B. minute volume will decrease. C. minute volume will remain unchanged. D. excess carbon dioxide will be eliminated.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 938
Immediate death from blunt chest trauma following a motor vehicle crash is MOST often the result of: A. a tension pneumothorax. B. traumatic aortic rupture. C. penetrating lung injuries. D. a massive cardiac contusion.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 939
In order to avoid exacerbating a patient's injury, it is especially important to use extreme caution when providing positive-pressure ventilation to patients with a: A. flail chest. B. pneumothorax. C. cardiac tamponade. D. myocardial contusion.
Answer: B Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 941
During your assessment of a patient with blunt chest trauma, you note paradoxical movement of the left chest wall. As your partner is administering oxygen to the patient, you should: A. request a paramedic to decompress the chest. B. make note of it and continue your assessment. C. stabilize the chest wall with a bulky dressing. D. reassess the adequacy of the patient's breathing.
Answer: C Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 941
You are transporting a stable patient with a possible pneumothorax. The patient is receiving 100% oxygen and has an oxygen saturation of 95%. During your reassessment, you find that the patient is now confused, hypotensive, and profusely diaphoretic. What is MOST likely causing this patient's deterioration? A. a total collapse of the affected lung B. hidden bleeding in the thoracic cavity C. compression of the aorta and vena cava D. blood accumulation in the pleural space
Answer: C Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 947
The ________ nerves control the diaphragm. A. vagus B. costal C. phrenic D. intercostal
Answer: C Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 937
Pneumothorax is defined as: A. accumulation of air between the lungs. B. blood collection within the lung tissue. C. accumulation of air in the pleural space. D. blood collection within the pleural space.
Answer: C Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 945
Subcutaneous emphysema is an indication that: A. at least half of one lung has completely collapsed. B. your patient is experiencing a pericardial tamponade. C. air is escaping into the chest wall from a damaged lung. D. blood is slowly accumulating within the tissue of the lung.
Answer: C Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 949
A spinal cord injury at the level of C7 would MOST likely result in: A. immediate cardiac arrest. B. paralysis of the diaphragm. C. paralysis of the intercostal muscles. D. paralysis of all the respiratory muscles
Answer: C Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 935-936
Very young children tend to breathe predominantly with their diaphragm because: A. their chest wall and ribs are very pliable. B. they require less tidal volume per breath. C. their intercostal muscles are not fully developed. D. there is no nerve innervation of the intercostal muscles.
Answer: C Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 936
If a patient with a chest injury is only able to inhale small amounts of air per breath, he or she: A. often breathes at a slower rate because of lung damage caused by the injury. B. will eliminate more carbon dioxide than if he or she were breathing deeply. C. must increase his or her respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume. D. will maintain adequate minute volume if his or her respiratory rate stays the same.
Answer: C Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 938
Following blunt trauma to the chest, an 18-year-old female presents with respiratory distress, reduced tidal volume, and cyanosis. Her blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg and her pulse is 130 beats/min and thready. You should: A. apply 100% oxygen and immediately transport. B. place her supine and elevate her lower extremities. C. perform a rapid head-to-toe physical assessment. D. provide some form of positive-pressure ventilation.
Answer: D Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 941
You respond to a residence for a 40-year-old female who was assaulted by her husband; the scene has been secured by law enforcement. Upon your arrival, you find the patient lying supine on the floor in the kitchen. She is semiconscious with severely labored breathing. Further assessment reveals a large bruise to the left anterior chest, jugular venous distention, and unilaterally absent breath sounds. As your partner is supporting her ventilations, you should: A. insert an oropharyngeal airway. B. obtain a set of baseline vital signs. C. perform a focused secondary exam. D. immediately request ALS support.
Answer: D Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 947-948
You arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The patient, a 50-year-old female, was removed from her vehicle prior to your arrival. Bystanders who removed her state that she was not wearing a seatbelt. The patient is unconscious, tachycardic, and diaphoretic. Your assessment reveals bilaterally clear and equal breath sounds, a midline trachea, and collapsed jugular veins. You should be MOST suspicious that this patient has experienced a: A. massive hemothorax. B. tension pneumothorax. C. pericardial tamponade. D. laceration of the aorta.
Answer: D Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 952
Elevation of the rib cage during inhalation occurs when: A. the diaphragm descends. B. abdominal contents descend. C. intrathoracic pressure decreases. D. the intercostal muscles contract.
Answer: D Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 937
A patient who presents with profound cyanosis following a chest injury: A. should be placed in Trendelenburg's position. B. is most likely experiencing severe blood loss. C. has most likely experienced a ruptured aorta. D. requires prompt ventilation and oxygenation.
Answer: D Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 940
The MOST critical treatment for a tension pneumothorax involves: A. placing a bulky dressing over the affected side of the chest. B. assisting the patient's breathing with increased tidal volume. C. surgically removing the portion of the lung that is damaged. D. inserting a needle through the rib cage into the pleural space.
Answer: D Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 948
When assessing a patient with a hemothorax, you will MOST likely find: A. jugular venous engorgement. B. ipsilateral tracheal deviation. C. distant or muffled heart tones. D. signs and symptoms of shock.
Answer: D Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 948
The phrenic nerves control the diaphragm and exit the spinal cord at: A. C1 and C2. B. C3 and C4. C. C1, C2, and C3. D. C3, C4, and C5.
Answer: D Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 937
Distended jugular veins, a narrowing pulse pressure, and muffled heart sounds are seen in which of the following conditions? A. Tension pneumothorax B. Cardiac tamponade C. Traumatic asphyxia D. Commotio cordis
B. Cardiac tamponade
Immediately life-threatening chest injuries must be found and managed during the _______. Select one: A. secondary assessment. B. primary assessment. C. patient history. D. scene size-up.
B. primary assessment.
Large blood vessels in the chest that can result in massive hemorrhaging include all of the following EXCEPT: A. the pulmonary arteries B. the femoral arteries C. the aorta D. the four main pulmonary veins
B. the femoral arteries
Air is supplied to the lungs via the: A. esophagus B. trachea C. nares D. oropharnyx
B. trachea
Which of the following is most likely to cause immediate death? A. Aortic dissection B. Pulmonary contusion C. Aortic rupture D. Myocardia contusion
C. Aortic rupture
Which of the following is NOT a sign o symptom of a chest injury? A. Bruising of the chest wall B. Crepitus with palpation of the chest C. Clear and equal breath sounds D. Unequal expansion of the chest wall
C. Clear and equal breath sounds
A weakening in the wall of the aorta is known as _______. Select one: A. a pneumothorax. B. arteriosclerosis. C. an aneurysm. D. a bleb.
C. an aneurysm.
A sucking chest would should be treated with: A. a standard dressing B. taping down the chest C. an occlusive dressing D. a sandbag over the wound
C. an occlusive dressing
Common signs and symptoms of tension pneumomthorax include all of the following EXCEPT: A. increasing respiratory distress B. distended neck veins C. high blood pressure D. tracheal deviation away from the injured site
C. high blood presure
Traumatic asphyxia: A. is bruising of the lung B. occurs when three or more adjacent ribs fractured in two or more places C. is a sudden, severe compression of the chest D. results from the pericardial sac filling with blood
C. is a sudden, severe compression of the chest
A _____ is the result of blunt chest trauma and is associated with an irregular pulse and sometimes dangerous cardiac rhythms. A. cardiac tamponade B. pulmonary contusion C. myocardial contusion D. traumatic asphyxia
C. myocardial contusion
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli is _______. A. diffusion B. ventilation C. respiration D. expiration
C. respiration
Patients with chest injuries will often present with _______. A. agonal respirations B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations C. tachypnea D. Kussmaul respirations
C. tachypnea
On inhalation, which of the following does NOT occur? A. the intercostal muscles contract, elevating the rib cage B. the diaphragm contracts C. the pressure inside the chest increases D. air enters through the nose and mouth
C. the pressure inside the chest increases
Paradoxical motion of the chest refers to: A. rib fractures that move with the chest wall during breathing B. one segment of the chest wall moving opposite the remainder of the chest C. unequal expansion of the chest wall D. one segment of the chest wall moving out on inspiration and in on exhalation
C. unequal expansion of the chest wall
Which of the following would NOT give you a low pulse oximetry reading? A. Damaged heart B. Decrease in circulating red blood cells from bleeding C. Pulmonary contusion D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
You respond to the local rodeo arena for a bull rider. The scene is safe, and the patient is lying in the middle of the arena unconscious. His airway is open, and he is breathing at 20 breaths/min. His pulse is 128 beats/min and blood pressure is 110/64 mm Hg. There is no obvious bleeding. Bystanders tell you he was thrown into the air and landed on the bull's head. He was not wearing a vest. Which of the following is NOT indicated in blunt trauma to the chest? A. Bruising of the lungs and heart B. Fracture of whole areas of the chest wall C. Damage to the aorta D. Dissection of the carotid arteries
D. Dissection of the carotid arteries
You respond to a motor vehicle collision and fine a 29 year old woman who is complaining of chest pain. Her chest struck the steering wheel. Her airway is open, she is breathing at 24 breaths/min, and she is coughing up blood. Her pulse is 130 beats/min, rapid and weak, her blood pressure is 90/58 mm Hg. You notice cyanosis around the lips and note that her fingers are also blue. When you expose the chest, she tells you it hurts and points to a bruised spot. Which of the following is a symptom? A. Cyanosis around the lips or fingertips B.Rapid, weak pulse C. Hemoptyis D. Pain at the site of injury
D. Pain at the site of injury
You respond to a 20 year old man who was playing basketball and suddenly developed chest pain and respiratory difficulty. He is alert and orients and complaining of chest pain. He is breathing at 24 breaths/min. His pulse is 140 beats/min and blood pressure is 160/90 mm Hg. Upon listening to the chest, you notice diminished breath sounds on the left side. The patient is most likely suffering from a (n) A. spontaneous pneumothorax B. hemothorax C. tension pnumonthorax D. open pnumonthorax
D. open pnumothorax
A ____ results when an injury allows air to enter through a hole in the chest wall or the surface of the lung as the patient attempts to breathe, causing the lung on that side to collapse. A. tension pnumonthorax B. hemothorax C. hemopnumonthorax D. pnumonthorax
D. pneumothorax
Children are often "belly breathers" because _______. Select one: A. they are routinely hypoxic B. their diaphragm is not functional C. they are consciously controlling ventilations D. their intercostal muscles are not developed
D. their intercostal muscles are not developed