Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

Indicators of possible cardiac contusion in a trauma patient include chest pain, arrhythmias, and signs of shock. These symptoms are critical for identifying potential injury to the heart that can occur due to blunt trauma, such as from a car accident.

Chest pain is a common symptom that may indicate heart injury or stress on the cardiac tissues. Arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms, can occur as a direct result of injury to the myocardial cells or from triggers related to trauma. Signs of shock, such as hypotension (low blood pressure) or altered mental status, can also point to significant cardiovascular compromise stemming from a cardiac contusion or other serious injuries.

The other options do not encompass the primary indicators associated with cardiac contusion. Headaches and dizziness might suggest other neurological issues, skin rashes and swelling would not typically relate to cardiac injury, and merely assessing heart rate without the context of additional symptoms fails to provide a comprehensive picture of the patient's condition. Therefore, recognizing the combination of chest pain, arrhythmias, and signs of shock is vital for timely diagnosis and treatment.