Chest Quest
What chest condition causes air to leak under the skin?
subcutaneous emphysema
What skin sign is typical in a patient with heat stroke?
A patient expressing suicidal thoughts is experiencing what type of emergency?
What is a behavioral emergency?
After a fall from a ladder and loss of consciousness, you have a patient that is complaining of headache, altered mental status, and unequal pupils. What do you suspect?
Head injury
What is a sign of increased intracranial pressure that involves blood pressure and heart rate?
What is Cushing's Triad
A flail chest segment moves how during breathing?
paradoxical movement
How do you begin warming a hypothermic patient with altered mental status?
A flat affect is a sign of what kind of psychiatric presentation?
emotional unresponsiveness
Loss of bladder control after trauma may indicate injury to what body system?
Spinal cord injury
A patient presents with raccoon eyes and Battle’s sign. What type of fracture should you suspect?
Basilar Skull Fracture
What type of chest trauma can cause jugular vein distention (JVD)?
Tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade
What is the biggest danger if you rewarm frostbite too quickly with hot water?
Tissue damage or burns
What’s the most important first step when responding to a suicidal or combative psychiatric patient?
Scene safety
A cervical injury at C5 may lead to paralysis of which limbs?
Arms and legs
Name two vital sign changes commonly seen with a serious head injury.
Bradycardia and Hypertension
You suspect a pneumothorax. What should you immediately look for in the chest rise?
asymmetry
What’s the primary treatment for heat cramps?
Moving to a cool area
Name two medical causes of altered mental status that can mimic psychiatric conditions.
What are hypoglycemia and infection (or drugs/alcohol)?
Why must you apply an occlusive dressing to an open neck wound in spinal trauma?
To prevent air embolism
Why is controlling bleeding from a head wound without increasing ICP a delicate balance?
Because pressure must stop bleeding, but too much can raise intracranial pressure.
Why is tracheal deviation a late and dangerous sign of tension pneumothorax?
Because it indicates pressure is pushing the trachea away from the midline, threatening cardiac output.
Why does hypothermia slow a patient’s breathing and heart rate?
Because cold depresses the central nervous system and metabolism.
Why is it important to avoid assuming all bizarre behavior is psychiatric in origin?
Because underlying medical conditions like hypoxia, stroke, or trauma can also cause altered mental status.
A patient with a spinal injury has warm skin and low BP. What type of shock might this be, and why is it unique?
Neurogenic shock, the skin gets warm due to vasodilation
A patient with a head injury suddenly becomes combative. What should this change in behavior make you suspect?
What is a worsening brain injury or rising ICP?