Your patient was the unrestrained driver of a motor vehicle without airbags. The vehicle struck a large utility pole at about 45 miles per hour. Your patient has a contusion over his chest and upper abdomen consistent with the shape of the steering wheel. You should suspect which of the following types of injury in this patient?
A) Compression
B) Compression and acceleration
C) Compression and deceleration
D) Deceleration

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The contusion over the chest and upper abdomen consistent with the shape of the steering wheel indicates that the patient suffered a compression injury from the impact. The fact that the vehicle struck a large utility pole at 45 miles per hour suggests that there was also a deceleration injury involved. Therefore, the best choice is C: compression and deceleration.

Your Patient Was the Unrestrained Driver of a Motor Vehicle