Question 1

Which of the following statements about rifles is TRUE?
A) Assault rifles generally increase the number of wounds the victim sustains.
B) Hunting rifles have larger magazines and operate semiautomatically.
C) Assault rifles do not accept domestic hunting ammunition and thus create a projectile profile that is smaller and causes less damage.
D) Assault rifles have greater velocity than hunting rifles and only operate automatically.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that victims of assault rifle attacks are more likely to sustain multiple wounds, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates.

Question 2

As the mass of an object increases, which of the following occurs?
A) The maximum speed it can attain increases.
B) The amount of energy decreases.
C) The maximum speed it can attain decreases.
D) The amount of energy increases.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As the mass of an object increases,...

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT considered penetrating trauma?
A) Receiving a wood splinter in the foot while walking on an unfinished deck
B) A superficial wound resulting from a pellet from a pellet gun being lodged under the skin
C) A laceration from a kitchen knife
D) A laceration on the forehead as a result of being struck with a metal pipe

Accepted Answer

Penetrating trauma involves an object piercing the skin and entering the body, creating an open wound. Choices A, B, and C all describe scenarios where an object enters the body, causing penetrating trauma. Choice D, however, describes a blunt force trauma where the skin might be broken but the injury is caused by the impact of a blunt object, not by the object entering the body.

Question 4

Which of the following is MOST likely to occur to the bullet when military ammunition is used?
A) It will "mushroom" or flatten.
B) It will remain intact.
C) It will fragment.
D) It will explode.

Accepted Answer

Military ammunition is typically designed to remain intact upon impact to ensure penetration and to comply with international conventions that prohibit the use of ammunition designed to expand or flatten easily.

Question 5

Which two factors related to kinetic energy proportionately affect the damage a projectile will do?
A) Velocity and yaw
B) Velocity and mass
C) Mass and fragmentation
D) Fragmentation and velocity

Accepted Answer

The kinetic energy of a projectile is directly proportional to its mass and velocity, so both of these factors affect the damage done by the projectile. Option A is incorrect because yaw is not related to kinetic energy. Option C is incorrect because fragmentation is related to the type of projectile and not its kinetic energy. Option D is incorrect because fragmentation is once again related to the type of projectile and not its kinetic energy.

Question 6

Which type of firearm usually limits trauma to direct injury?
A) Hunting rifle
B) Military rifle
C) Automatic weapon
D) Handgun

Accepted Answer

Handguns typically limit trauma to direct injury due to their lower velocity compared to rifles and automatic weapons, which can cause more extensive damage through shockwaves and cavitation.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about entrance and exit wounds is TRUE?
A) Exit wounds are usually the size of the bullet's profile.
B) Entrance wounds most often appear as stellate.
C) Cavitational wave energy is greatest at a bullet's point of entrance.
D) Only a thorough forensic examination by a qualified expert can determine with certainty whether a given wound is an entrance wound or an exit wound.

Accepted Answer

Only a thorough forensic examination by a qualified expert can determine with certainty whether a given wound is an entrance wound or an exit wound. While exit wounds may often be larger than entrance wounds, this is not always the case. Additionally, the cavitational wave energy is typically greatest at the bullet's point of exit, not entrance. Stellate wounds can be characteristic of entrance wounds, but they are not always present. Therefore, the only definitive way to determine whether a wound is an entrance or exit wound is through a comprehensive forensic examination.

Question 8

Penetrating trauma to the face can complicate airway management by which of the following mechanisms?
A) Laryngotracheal edema
B) Airway obstruction
C) Destruction of anatomical landmarks
D) Both B and C

Accepted Answer

Penetrating trauma to the face can cause damage to the anatomical structures of the airway, resulting in obstruction and loss of landmarks for intubation. It can also cause edema, which further complicates airway management. Therefore, both options B and C are correct.

Question 9

Which of the following bullet characteristics would create the most damage?
A) Lack of tumble
B) A small profile
C) A full metal jacket
D) "Mushrooming" or flattening on impact

Accepted Answer

"Mushrooming" or flattening on impact refers to the expansion of the bullet upon hitting a target. This creates a larger wound channel and increases the chances of hitting vital organs, which can create the most damage. Lack of tumble, a small profile, and a full metal jacket do not necessarily increase the damage caused by a bullet.

Question 10

Which of the following increases a bullet's profile?
A) "Mushrooming" on impact
B) The use of rifling in the barrel of the firearm
C) Tumbling 180 degrees on impact
D) Both A and C

Accepted Answer

A bullet "mushrooming" on impact and tumbling 180 degrees both increase the bullet's profile by altering its shape and orientation. Rifling in the barrel of the firearm does not increase a bullet's profile.

Question 11

Which of the following is considered a high-velocity weapon?
A) Shotgun
B) Arrow
C) Handgun
D) Rifle

Accepted Answer

Rifle is considered a high-velocity weapon as it fires bullets at high speeds with greater accuracy and greater range compared to other weapons listed.

Question 12

As the energy from a medium- or high-velocity projectile pushes tissue from its path, which of the following occurs?
A) Damage depends on the net difference between pressure at the entrance wound and pressure at the exit wound.
B) No vacuum is created when there are both an entrance and an exit wound.
C) Negative pressure is generated inside the cavity, drawing debris into the wound.
D) There is negative pressure at the entrance wound and positive pressure at the exit wound.

Accepted Answer

Negative pressure generated inside the cavity as a projectile moves through tissue can draw debris, bacteria, and air into the wound, exacerbating contamination and complicating the injury. This phenomenon is part of what makes gunshot and similar high-velocity injuries particularly dangerous and challenging to treat.

Question 13

Your patient is a construction worker who fell 15 feet and has a 3-foot metal concrete reinforcement bar (rebar) impaled in his right thigh. Which of the following is the best action?
A) Administer sodium bicarbonate to combat acidosis resulting from the destruction of muscle tissue.
B) If the proper tools and personnel are present, have rescuers cut the rebar to a manageable length.
C) If you can see both ends of the rebar, gently remove it and irrigate the wound with sterile saline.
D) Transport the patient without attempting to shorten or remove the rebar.

Accepted Answer

The best course of action in this scenario, if the proper tools and personnel are present, is to have rescuers cut the rebar to a manageable length before transporting the patient. This can help prevent further injury and make it easier to transport the patient. Attempting to remove the rebar without proper tools and expertise can cause further harm to the patient. Option A is not necessary unless there is evidence of acidosis. Option C should only be considered if both ends of the rebar are visible and can be accessed easily. Option D is not advisable as transporting the patient with the rebar in place can cause further harm.

Question 14

The primary assessment of a patient with a gunshot wound to the chest should focus on detecting which of the following?
A) Pancreatitis
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Cardiac contusion
D) Peritonitis

Accepted Answer

A gunshot wound to the chest can result in a tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency that can cause the lung to collapse and prevent adequate breathing. Therefore, the primary assessment should focus on detecting tension pneumothorax. The other options listed are not as likely to occur with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Question 15

Which of the following is best described as "the area of contused tissue resulting from penetrating trauma that may be slow to heal due to disrupted blood flow and tissue damage"?
A) Temporary cavity
B) Zone of injury
C) Zone of coagulation
D) Permanent cavity

Accepted Answer

The zone of injury refers to the area of contused tissue resulting from penetrating trauma. This zone may be slow to heal due to disrupted blood flow and tissue damage. The other choices do not fit the given description. The temporary cavity refers to the area created by the rapid expansion of gases upon impact. The zone of coagulation refers to the area of tissue that has been irreversibly damaged due to heat or burning. The permanent cavity refers to the path or channel created by the penetrating object.

Quiz 2: Mechanism of Injury

Which of the following statements about rifles is TRUE?

As the mass of an object increases, which of the following occurs?

Which of the following is NOT considered penetrating trauma?

Which of the following is MOST likely to occur to the bullet when military ammunition is used?

Which two factors related to kinetic energy proportionately affect the damage a projectile will do?

Which type of firearm usually limits trauma to direct injury?

Which of the following statements about entrance and exit wounds is TRUE?

Penetrating trauma to the face can complicate airway management by which of the following mechanisms?

Which of the following bullet characteristics would create the most damage?

Which of the following increases a bullet's profile?

Which of the following is considered a high-velocity weapon?

As the energy from a medium- or high-velocity projectile pushes tissue from its path, which of the following occurs?

Your patient is a construction worker who fell 15 feet and has a 3-foot metal concrete reinforcement bar (rebar) impaled in his right thigh. Which of the following is the best action?

The primary assessment of a patient with a gunshot wound to the chest should focus on detecting which of the following?

Which of the following is best described as "the area of contused tissue resulting from penetrating trauma that may be slow to heal due to disrupted blood flow and tissue damage"?