Trauma to the chest area is the primary cause of death in approximately 25% of trauma victims. Involvement of the heart, great vessels, lungs, and diaphragm, attributable to penetrating or blunt injury, can provide multiple unexpected findings when the chest is opened. Because of the nature of the potential findings and expected surgical intervention, what would be an appropriate preparatory action for the surgical technologist to take?

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Autologous blood salvage units should also be considered during patient care preparation, because blood salvage will be done if not contraindicated by the nature of the injury. Because of the unexpected nature of trauma, planning perioperative care is of the utmost importance. Equipment, instruments, and supplies that have a high probability of use must be immediately available. When the trauma patient is transferred to the OR, the extent of injury is not always known.

Trauma to the Chest Area Is the Primary Cause of Death