You are on-scene with a patient in cardiac arrest. You turn the monitor/defibrillator on and attach the pads to the patient. When it begins to analyze the patient's cardiac rhythm, it signals 'low battery' and then shuts off. You have no other batteries available, and an electrical plug is not available. The patient subsequently dies despite adequate CPR and advanced airway and ventilation during transport. Which of the following could result?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Negligence charges could be brought against the paramedic in charge of the unit. Rationale: 1. Negligence: In this scenario, the paramedic failed to ensure the equipment was properly charged, leading to the death of the patient. 2. Duty of Care: The paramedic had a duty to ensure the equipment was functional to provide appropriate care to the patient. 3. Breach of Duty: By not ensuring the defibrillator had adequate battery power, the paramedic breached their duty of care. 4. Proximate Cause: The lack of functioning equipment directly contributed to the patient's death. 5. Legal Liability: Negligence in providing care can result in legal charges being brought against the individual responsible for the patient's care. Summary: A: Manslaughter charges are not applicable as there was no intent to harm the patient. C: Battery charges are not relevant as it refers to physical harm, not the lack of battery power in equipment

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Log-rolling may be destabilizing to fractures from T12 to L1. This is true because log-rolling involves rotating a patient to prevent movement of the spine, but in thoracic spine injuries from T12 to L1, this maneuver can cause further damage and destabilize the fractures. Choice B is incorrect because a scoop stretcher does not provide sufficient immobilization for thoracic spine injuries. Choice C is incorrect as spinal cord injury below T10 can still affect bowel and bladder function due to the autonomic nervous system involvement. Choice D is incorrect because hyperflexion fractures in the upper thoracic spine are typically stable, not inherently unstable.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because DPL (Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage) is primarily used to detect intra-abdominal bleeding. Subcapsular hematoma of the spleen is a type of intra-abdominal bleeding that can be detected using DPL due to the accumulation of blood in the spleen. Liver laceration, bowel injury, and pancreatic injury may also lead to intra-abdominal bleeding, but they are not specific to the purpose of DPL, which is to detect bleeding. Therefore, A is the correct choice as it directly relates to the main objective of using DPL.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer, D: Argyll Robertson pupil, is not assessed when assessing for brain death because this reflex is associated with neurosyphilis and not with brainstem function. When assessing for brain death, the absence of pupillary reflexes is a key indicator, but the Argyll Robertson pupil is a specific type of pupillary abnormality that is not typically observed in brain death. A: "Dolls eyes" and B: Oculovestibular reflex are assessed in brain death determination by testing for eye movement in response to head movement and cold water caloric stimulation, respectively. C: Gag reflex is also assessed, as it is a cranial nerve reflex involving the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reassess the position of the endotracheal tube. This is the next step because the patient has decreased breath sounds on the left side, indicating a potential issue with the endotracheal tube placement. Reassessing the position ensures proper oxygenation and ventilation. Immediate needle cricothyroidotomy (A) is not indicated as the patient is already intubated. Chest tube insertion (C) is not the immediate priority as the decreased breath sounds are likely due to endotracheal tube misplacement. Immediate needle thoracentesis (D) is not the correct step as there is no indication of a tension pneumothorax based on the patient's vital signs.