Protection of Respiratory and Circulatory Organs

CHAPTER 34 QUIZ Write the letter of the best answer in the space provided. 1. The respiratory and circulatory organs are protected primarily by the A. ribs. C. venae cavae. B. mediastinum. D. clavicles. 2. A flail segment occurs A. when initiated by paradoxical motion. B. with fracture of two or more ribs in two or more places. C. only from bullet or knife wounds. D. after a pneumothorax. 3. When a patient presents with jugular venous distention, respiratory distress, and hypotension following a closed chest injury, the EMT should suspect A. rib fractures. C. subcutaneous emphysema. B. a sucking chest wound. D. a tension pneumothorax. 4. A screwdriver impaled in the chest should be managed by A. stabilizing it with a bulky dressing. B. removing it and covering the wound with an occlusive dressing. C. applying Vaseline around the screwdriver to seal the edge. D. removing it and covering the wound with a pressure dressing. 5. If a patient develops respiratory distress after an occlusive dressing has been applied to a chest wound, the EMT should A. cover the wound with more dressings. B. lift a corner of the dressing to allow pressure to escape. C. begin assisting breathing with positive pressure ventilation. D. continue monitoring, as this reaction is to be expected. 6. A pulmonary contusion can be life-threatening because it can A. reduce oxygen exchange via the alveoli. B. cause a hemorrhage into the trachea. C. take up space needed by the heart to contract. D. penetrate the lung. 7. During traumatic asphyxia, there is a A. slow increase in pressure in the chest. B. slow decrease in pressure in the chest. C. rapid increase in pressure in the chest. D. rapid decrease in pressure in the chest. 8. In a cardiac contusion the area of the heart most likely to be injured is the A. right atrium. C. left atrium. B. right ventricle. D. left ventricle. 9. 10. The most common cause of cardiac tamponade is A. a shotgun wound to the chest. B. a fall from a ladder. C. a stab wound to the heart. D. an explosion. All of the following are signs and symptoms of major chest trauma except A. hemoptysis. C. paradoxical movement. B. cyanosis. D. bradycardia. IN THE FIELD Read the following real-life situation. Then answer the questions that follow. You are dispatched to a night club where a fight has just taken place. The caller had stated that one man was injured and needed an ambulance because he could not breathe. 1. Given the reported circumstances, which causes might you expect for this problem? 2. What would you do first upon your arrival at the scene if the police are not yet there? 3. After you are able to enter the scene, you find a 24-year-old male lying on the floor, splinting his right rib area and having some difficulty breathing. Blood is noted on the floor, there is a puncture on the right side of his chest, and a raspy noise is heard each time he takes a breath. What would you do next? 4. Which other emergency care would you provide? 5. During transport, the young man complains of increasing breathing difficulty. He is cool and tachypneic, and his neck veins are distended. Examination reveals no breath sounds on the right side. What is likely to be the cause of the problem? 6. Which emergency care would you provide to help manage the worsening chest injury? CHAPTER 34 REVIEW Write the word or words that best complete each sentence in the space provided. 1. The is the tube-like structure that connects the stomach with the mouth. 2. The two types of chest injuries are and . 3. The aorta, vena cava, esophagus, and trachea are located in the ,a hollow area in the center of the thoracic cavity. 4. The heart is a special type of muscle that can be damaged by penetrating or blunt trauma. 5. Inhalation occurs when the contracts and drops downward and the pull the ribs upward and outward. 6. A(n) ________________________ _______________ occurs when air trapped in the thoracic cavity expands under pressure. 7. A(n) ________________________ _______________________ is an injury created by adjacent rib segments that are unattached to the rest of the rib cage. 8. With ___________________________ _______________________, the rib segment moves inward during inhalation and outward during exhalation, opposite the rest of the chest. 9. A flail segment should not be stabilized in any way that chest wall. the motion of the rest of the 10. You would apply a(n) to seal an open chest wound. 11. If a(n) ___________________ pneumothorax exists, it may become increasingly difficult for the patient to breathe. 12. An open chest wound can pull air into the thoracic cavity, sometimes with a noticeable sound. This injury is referred to as a(n) . 13. Fractured ribs may produce 14. An impaled object in the chest must be , a grating sound or sensation. before moving the patient.