Your patient is a 30-year-old woman with a stab wound to the neck. She is sitting up and appears very anxious and short of breath. Minimal external bleeding is noted, but there is bubbling from the wound. Which of the following should you suspect, based on the mechanism of injury and assessment findings?
A) Laceration of the trachea
B) An injury to the spinal cord at the level of the stab wound
C) Laceration of the ipsilateral carotid artery
D) All of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bubbling from the wound suggests air escaping from an airway structure, indicating a laceration of the trachea. This is consistent with the symptoms of anxiety and shortness of breath.

Your Patient Is a 30-Year-Old Woman with a Stab Wound