Kinematics & MOI (Mechanism of Injury)
The formula for kinetic energy dictates that this factor has the greatest impact on the severity of an injury.
What is velocity (or speed)?
This type of external bleeding is characterized by a dark red color and a steady flow.
What is venous bleeding?
The clear fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord, which may leak from the ears or nose in the event of a skull fracture.
What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
This potentially life-threatening condition occurs when two or more adjacent ribs are fractured in two or more places, causing paradoxical motion.
What is a flail chest?
The general physiological definition of shock.
What is hypoperfusion (inadequate tissue perfusion)?
A fall is considered a "severe" mechanism of injury for an adult if it is greater than this many feet.
What is 20 feet?
According to the Rule of Nines, the entire anterior trunk (chest and abdomen) of an adult represents this percentage of body surface area.
What is 18%?
A late sign of a basilar skull fracture consisting of ecchymosis (bruising) behind the ears.
What is Battle's sign?
The appropriate type of dressing for an open or "sucking" chest wound.
What is an occlusive dressing (taped on 3 sides)?
This specific category of shock is caused by an inadequate amount of fluid or blood in the systemic circulation.
What is hypovolemic (or hemorrhagic) shock?
The three distinct collisions that occur in a typical motor vehicle crash.
What are the vehicle vs. object, the body vs. interior, and the internal organs vs. the body wall?
This type of open wound involves a flap of skin or tissue that is torn loose or pulled off completely
What is an avulsion?
Cushing's triad, a key indicator of increased intracranial pressure, consists of bradycardia, irregular respirations, and this third vital sign change.
What is hypertension (or a widening pulse pressure)?
A condition where air enters the pleural space but cannot escape, causing compression of the lung, heart, and great vessels.
What is a tension pneumothorax?
Often the very first measurable, objective vital sign change that indicates a patient is entering a state of compensated shock.
What is tachycardia (an increased heart rate)?
This type of blast injury is caused by the patient being thrown against a stationary object by the blast wind.
What is a tertiary blast injury?
This is the critical first step in treating a patient who has been exposed to a dry chemical burn.
What is brush off the dry chemical (before flushing with copious amounts of water)?
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) evaluates patients based on these three specific parameters.
What are Eye opening, Verbal response, and Motor response?
Kehr's sign, which presents as referred pain to the left shoulder, is a classic indicator of injury to this abdominal organ.
What is the spleen?
Neurogenic shock, typically caused by a high spinal cord injury, is uniquely characterized by hypotension paired with this unexpected heart rate presentation.
What is bradycardia (or the absence of tachycardia)?
The path a projectile, such as a bullet, takes through the body, which can create a permanent cavity.
What is the trajectory (or cavitation)?
A burn that involves the epidermis and some portion of the dermis, classically characterized by the presence of blisters.
What is a partial-thickness (second-degree) burn?
A temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain's abilities to function without demonstrable physical damage to the brain tissue itself.
What is a concussion?
A late sign of intra-abdominal bleeding characterized by bruising around the umbilicus (belly button).
What is Cullen's sign?
The "trauma triad of death" is a lethal cycle consisting of coagulopathy, metabolic acidosis, and this physical state.
What is hypothermia?