Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

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Prepare for the Prehospital Trauma Life Support Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations. Master emergency medicine concepts!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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Which statement regarding signs of intraabdominal injury is NOT true?

Fresh blood in the abdominal cavity does not cause signs of peritonitis
A significant amount of blood loss occurs before abdominal distention can be noticed
Substantial intraabdominal hemorrhage always causes tenderness and abdominal rigidity
Signs and symptoms of shock greater than can be explained by other injuries is a reliable indicator of intraabdominal injury

The correct answer is: Substantial intraabdominal hemorrhage always causes tenderness and abdominal rigidity

The statement that substantial intraabdominal hemorrhage always causes tenderness and abdominal rigidity is not true. While significant intraabdominal bleeding can often lead to these signs, it is not a definitive outcome for every case. There are instances where patients may not exhibit obvious signs of tenderness or rigidity despite having severe internal injuries. This can occur due to factors such as the body’s ability to compensate for blood loss or the specific nature and location of the injury, which may not irritate the peritoneum immediately. Understanding intraabdominal injuries involves recognizing that the presentation can be quite variable based on the individual's physiological response, the volume of blood loss, and the specific type of injury sustained. Thus, it is vital for healthcare providers to consider a broader range of potential signs and symptoms rather than rely solely on tenderness and rigidity to assess for intraabdominal injuries.