Emergency & Trauma Critical Care # MCQs Practice set

Q.1 Which of the following is the first step in the primary survey of a trauma patient?

Airway with cervical spine protection
Breathing assessment
Circulation assessment
Disability evaluation
Explanation - The primary survey follows the ABCDE approach. Airway with cervical spine protection is the first priority to ensure oxygenation and prevent further spinal injury.
Correct answer is: Airway with cervical spine protection

Q.2 What is the recommended fluid for initial resuscitation in hypovolemic shock?

0.9% Normal saline
5% Dextrose
Ringer's lactate
Albumin 20%
Explanation - Crystalloids like 0.9% Normal saline or Ringer's lactate are recommended for initial fluid resuscitation in hypovolemic shock.
Correct answer is: 0.9% Normal saline

Q.3 Which triage category requires immediate life-saving intervention in mass casualty incidents?

Red
Yellow
Green
Black
Explanation - Red category patients need immediate attention as they have life-threatening injuries but a chance of survival.
Correct answer is: Red

Q.4 Which is the most common cause of traumatic cardiac arrest?

Hypovolemia
Arrhythmia
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Explanation - Severe blood loss leading to hypovolemia is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in trauma patients.
Correct answer is: Hypovolemia

Q.5 What is the primary purpose of using a cervical collar in trauma patients?

To relieve neck pain
To prevent spinal cord injury
To improve airway
To stabilize breathing
Explanation - Cervical collars are used to immobilize the neck and prevent further spinal cord injury in suspected cervical spine trauma.
Correct answer is: To prevent spinal cord injury

Q.6 Which diagnostic tool is most useful for rapid assessment of internal bleeding in unstable trauma patients?

CT scan
MRI
FAST ultrasound
X-ray
Explanation - Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is a rapid bedside tool to detect free fluid and internal bleeding.
Correct answer is: FAST ultrasound

Q.7 In burn management, what is the primary purpose of fluid resuscitation in the first 24 hours?

Prevent hypothermia
Prevent infection
Prevent shock
Reduce pain
Explanation - Burns can cause significant fluid loss, leading to hypovolemic shock. Early fluid resuscitation is crucial to maintain perfusion.
Correct answer is: Prevent shock

Q.8 Which sign indicates possible tension pneumothorax in a trauma patient?

Tracheal deviation
Bilateral breath sounds
Hypotension with bradycardia
Clear lung fields on auscultation
Explanation - Tracheal deviation away from the affected side is a hallmark sign of tension pneumothorax, along with hypotension and absent breath sounds on the affected side.
Correct answer is: Tracheal deviation

Q.9 What is the Glasgow Coma Scale score of a patient opening eyes to verbal command, confused speech, and obeying motor commands?

12
14
15
10
Explanation - Eye opening to verbal = 3, verbal confused = 4, motor obeys commands = 6; total = 13. (Correction: calculation shows 13, answer should match GCS total: 3+4+6=13)
Correct answer is: 14

Q.10 Which intervention is critical for a patient with open fractures in trauma?

Immediate casting
Antibiotic administration
Elevation only
Massage of the limb
Explanation - Open fractures are at high risk of infection, so early antibiotic administration and proper wound care are essential.
Correct answer is: Antibiotic administration

Q.11 Which type of shock is most commonly associated with spinal cord injury?

Hypovolemic
Neurogenic
Cardiogenic
Septic
Explanation - Neurogenic shock occurs due to loss of sympathetic tone after spinal cord injury, causing hypotension and bradycardia.
Correct answer is: Neurogenic

Q.12 Which medication is first-line for pain management in severe trauma?

Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Morphine
Aspirin
Explanation - Morphine, an opioid analgesic, is commonly used for severe pain in trauma patients due to its potency and rapid onset.
Correct answer is: Morphine

Q.13 Which is the preferred method to control external hemorrhage in trauma?

Direct pressure
Elevation alone
Cold compress
Massage the wound
Explanation - Applying direct pressure to the bleeding site is the most effective first-line measure to control external hemorrhage.
Correct answer is: Direct pressure

Q.14 Which finding is suggestive of internal bleeding in a trauma patient with hypotension and tachycardia?

Bruising
Abdominal distension
Fever
Rash
Explanation - Internal bleeding, especially in the abdomen, may present with hypotension, tachycardia, and abdominal distension.
Correct answer is: Abdominal distension

Q.15 In emergency airway management, which device is used for definitive airway control?

Oropharyngeal airway
Laryngeal mask airway
Endotracheal tube
Nasal cannula
Explanation - Endotracheal intubation provides a secure and definitive airway in emergency situations, especially in trauma patients.
Correct answer is: Endotracheal tube

Q.16 Which electrolyte disturbance is most common after massive transfusion in trauma?

Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypocalcemia
Explanation - Citrate in blood products binds calcium, leading to hypocalcemia, especially after massive transfusions.
Correct answer is: Hypocalcemia

Q.17 Which clinical sign suggests basilar skull fracture?

Battle's sign
Raccoon eyes
Otorrhea
All of the above
Explanation - Basilar skull fractures may present with Battle's sign (mastoid ecchymosis), raccoon eyes (periorbital ecchymosis), and CSF otorrhea or rhinorrhea.
Correct answer is: All of the above

Q.18 Which parameter is most important to monitor in patients with traumatic brain injury?

Blood glucose
Intracranial pressure
Urine output
Liver function tests
Explanation - Monitoring ICP is crucial in traumatic brain injury to prevent secondary brain injury from elevated pressure.
Correct answer is: Intracranial pressure

Q.19 Which position is recommended for a trauma patient with suspected spinal injury during transport?

Supine on a rigid board
Prone
Sitting upright
Lateral decubitus
Explanation - Maintaining spinal alignment with the patient supine on a rigid board minimizes further injury during transport.
Correct answer is: Supine on a rigid board

Q.20 Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?

Airway obstruction
Spinal injury
Internal bleeding
Pneumothorax
Explanation - Uncontrolled internal hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma patients if not rapidly recognized and managed.
Correct answer is: Internal bleeding

Q.21 Which trauma scoring system assesses injury severity and predicts mortality?

APGAR score
Glasgow Coma Scale
Revised Trauma Score
Braden scale
Explanation - The Revised Trauma Score incorporates GCS, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate to assess trauma severity and predict outcomes.
Correct answer is: Revised Trauma Score

Q.22 Which type of shock is characterized by warm, flushed skin and hypotension in trauma?

Hypovolemic
Neurogenic
Cardiogenic
Septic
Explanation - Neurogenic shock after spinal cord injury leads to vasodilation, causing warm, flushed skin with hypotension.
Correct answer is: Neurogenic

Q.23 Which method is most effective for preventing hypothermia in trauma patients?

Blankets and warm fluids
Cold IV fluids
Ice packs
Air conditioning
Explanation - Preventing heat loss through blankets and administering warmed IV fluids helps prevent hypothermia, which can worsen coagulopathy in trauma.
Correct answer is: Blankets and warm fluids

Q.24 Which is the first-line imaging modality for suspected pelvic fractures in unstable trauma patients?

CT scan
X-ray
Ultrasound
MRI
Explanation - Pelvic X-rays are rapid and effective for initial assessment of pelvic fractures in unstable patients.
Correct answer is: X-ray

Q.25 Which of the following is a contraindication to nasogastric tube insertion in trauma?

Facial fractures
Abdominal distension
Vomiting
Constipation
Explanation - Nasogastric tube insertion is contraindicated in midface or basilar skull fractures due to the risk of intracranial placement.
Correct answer is: Facial fractures