A 6-year-old boy is struck by an automobile and brought to the E The preferred route of venous access in this patient is:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Percutaneous peripheral veins in the upper extremities. In a pediatric patient with trauma, percutaneous peripheral veins in the upper extremities are preferred due to easier accessibility, lower risk of complications compared to femoral vein cannulation, less invasive than intraosseous catheter placement, and more practical than saphenous vein cutdown since it allows for rapid IV access. In emergencies, quick and efficient venous access is crucial for administering fluids and medications, making peripheral veins in the upper extremities the preferred choice in this scenario.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because needle-impenetrable sterile gloves are not minimal precautions for preventing the spread of communicable diseases during resuscitation. Goggles, face mask, and water-impervious gown are necessary to protect against bodily fluids, but needle-impenetrable gloves are not typically required unless there is a specific risk of needlestick injuries. Choosing D would be overkill for minimal precautions.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased cardiac output. Neurogenic shock is characterized by decreased cardiac output due to loss of sympathetic tone. Increased venous capacitance (A) and decreased systemic vascular resistance (B) are features of neurogenic shock due to vasodilation. Warm skin (D) is due to peripheral vasodilation. Therefore, increased cardiac output (C) is not a feature of neurogenic shock.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hemothorax. The clinical presentation of a 30-year-old male with shortness of breath, tachycardia, hypotension, diminished air entry, and dullness on percussion following a stab wound to the chest is most indicative of hemothorax. Hemothorax is the accumulation of blood in the pleural space, leading to respiratory compromise and hemodynamic instability. The diminished air entry and dullness on percussion suggest the presence of blood in the pleural cavity, causing lung collapse. The absence of distended neck veins rules out pericardial tamponade. The absence of tracheal deviation and mediastinal shift rules out tension pneumothorax. Hypovolemia from a liver injury would not explain the localized findings in the chest. Therefore, hemothorax is the most likely diagnosis in this scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Medicaid. Medicaid is a government program that provides medical assistance to individuals with low income or certain disabilities. It is jointly funded by the federal government and states, aiming to help those in need access essential healthcare services. Rationale: 1. Medicaid specifically targets individuals with low income or disabilities, aligning with the description in the question. 2. Medicare, choice A, is a federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older, not solely for low-income or disabled individuals. 3. Choices C and D, Department of the Treasury and Committee on the Budget, are not medical assistance programs and are unrelated to providing healthcare services to those in need.