Please confirm topic selection

Are you sure you want to trigger topic in your Anconeus AI algorithm?

Please confirm action

You are done for today with this topic.

Would you like to start learning session with this topic items scheduled for future?

Review Question - QID 5761

In scope icon L 3 E
QID 5761 (Type "5761" in App Search)
John and Jane Doe are extricated from a vehicle 2 hours after being struck by a car. John has closed left femur and right tibia shaft fractures. Jane has an isolated open femur shaft fracture that is actively bleeding. She is crying and screaming as she goes into hemorrhagic shock. There are no signs of visible face, neck, chest or abdominal injuries. You are the sole first responder on site. Which of the following statements are true regarding prehospital management of the injuries in these 2 patients?

John may lose an average of 1200ml of blood from his injuries. For Jane, airway control is the first step.

13%

233/1757

John may lose an average of 1200ml of blood from his injuries. For Jane, control of bleeding is the first step.

19%

331/1757

John may lose an average of 2000ml of blood from his injuries. For Jane, airway control is the first step.

22%

389/1757

John may lose an average of 2000ml of blood from his injuries. For Jane, control of bleeding is the first step.

38%

665/1757

John may lose an average of 3000ml of blood from his injuries. For Jane, control of bleeding is the first step.

6%

110/1757

Select Answer to see Preferred Response

bookmode logo Review TC In New Tab

Average blood loss in closed femur and tibia fractures is 1250ml and 750ml, respectively. For exsanguinating external hemorrhage, control of massive hemorrhage takes precedence over assessment of airway/breathing/fluid resuscitation. A screaming/crying patient has a patent airway.

The estimated blood loss for closed fractures of the femur and tibia are 1000-1500ml and 500-1000ml, respectively. Blood loss can double in open fractures. In the presence of exsanguinating external hemorrhage, control of hemorrhage should take precedence over the ABCDE primary survey. Delays in performing assessment of airway and breathing would put the patient at risk of death from blood loss.

Lieurance et al. retrospectively reviewed 53 patients with isolated femur fractures. They found that 21 patients required transfusion of an average of 2.5units PRBCs. Estimated blood loss was 1276cc and not affected by fracture pattern or high/low energy pattern. They concluded that preoperative hemorrhage contributed to transfusion need more than intraoperative blood loss.

Lee and Porter reviewed prehospital management of lower limb fractures. They recommend a stepwise control of bleeding: direct pressure, elevation, wound packing, windlass technique (place a pen under a circumferential knot and rotate the pen until tight), indirect pressure (traction splint), tourniquet. In the presence of compressible/controllable bleeding, they recommend resuscitation to normal physiological parameters. In the presence of non-controllable bleeding, they recommend hypotensive resuscitation (SBP 80mmHg or to restore the radial pulse).

Illustration A shows the priorities of primary survey. Illustration B is an algorithm for prehospital management of fractures. (Both illustrations courtesy of Lee et al.)

Incorrect Answers:
Answers 1, 2, 3, 5: Closed femoral shaft fractures lose an average of 1250ml. Closed tibial shaft fractures lose an average of 750ml. Combined losses will average 2000ml (range, 1500 to 2500ml). In the presence of exsanguinating bleeding, control of hemorrhage is more important than securing an airway.

ILLUSTRATIONS:
REFERENCES (2)
Authors
Rating
Please Rate Question Quality

1.5

  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon

(30)

Attach Treatment Poll
Treatment poll is required to gain more useful feedback from members.
Please enter Question Text
Please enter at least 2 unique options
Please enter at least 2 unique options
Please enter at least 2 unique options