You are assessing a 19-year-old male patient who was found unconscious on the floor of the toilets by his work colleagues. On your arrival the patient is unconscious with a GCS of 3. During your assessment you expose his chest to perform a 12-lead ECG and auscultate his heart and breath sounds and observe a midline incision from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process that appears to non-recent. Given the patient's age the midline incision should raise your suspicion for what underlying surgery?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Given the patient's age and the presence of a midline incision from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process, cardiac valve replacement or surgery is the most likely underlying surgery. This type of incision is commonly associated with cardiac surgeries, and valve issues are more plausible in younger patients compared to the other options listed.

You Are Assessing a 19-Year-Old Male Patient Who Was Found