A bullet fired from a gun at close range passes through the patient's liver. However, on autopsy, the coroner discovers that the man's pancreas, stomach, and gallbladder were also injured, even though not in direct contact with the bullet. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize that which of the following is responsible for injury to these additional organs?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cavitation refers to the creation of a temporary cavity within the tissues as the bullet passes through. This cavity can cause secondary injuries to nearby structures even if they are not directly hit by the bullet. Therefore, cavitation is responsible for the injury to the additional organs in this scenario. Drag force is the resistance encountered by the bullet as it moves through the air or tissue, and profile impact refers to the specific angle at which the bullet strikes the target. Blunt injury results from direct physical trauma without penetration, which is not the case here.

A Bullet Fired from a Gun at Close Range Passes