You suspect your adult trauma patient has a potential complete spinal cord transection. If so, which of the following would you expect to find?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because a complete spinal cord transection results in total absence of pain, sensation, and movement below the point of injury due to the interruption of all nerve pathways. This is known as complete paralysis. Choices A and D describe incomplete injuries, where some function is preserved. Choice B is incorrect as bradycardia and loss of vascular tone are associated with injuries at higher spinal cord levels, such as cervical injuries, not complete transections.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient experiencing a loss of consciousness immediately following the injury, regaining consciousness quickly, and then losing consciousness again is indicative of an epidural hematoma. This pattern is known as the "lucid interval," where the initial impact causes bleeding between the skull and dura mater, leading to a temporary improvement in symptoms before the hematoma expands, causing increased intracranial pressure and loss of consciousness. Choice A (Goose egg' noted on patient's head) is not specific to epidural hematoma and can occur in various head injuries. Choice B (The patient is unconscious when you arrive on the scene and remains that way throughout transport) is more indicative of a severe traumatic brain injury with continuous loss of consciousness rather than the characteristic pattern of an epidural hematoma. Choice D (Sudden, severe headache) is more commonly associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage or traumatic brain injury but not specifically with epidural hematoma.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because inducing mild hypothermia in a post-arrest patient helps reduce intracranial pressure, cerebral metabolic rate, and the brain's demand for oxygen. This is crucial in preventing secondary brain injury and improving neurological outcomes. Choice A is incorrect because hypothermia does not reduce the body's need for stored energy (sugar), but actually can lead to metabolic changes that may increase the body's energy demand. Choice B is incorrect because while hypothermia may increase blood flow to the brain and heart, it also reduces blood flow to peripheral tissues, potentially causing harm to these areas. Choice D is incorrect because hypothermia does not reduce the amount of oxygen and blood circulation needed to supply the tissues of the periphery, and in fact, can lead to decreased tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Admit the patient to the intensive care unit. This is the most appropriate management because the 8-year-old boy has suffered a significant fall resulting in a spleen laceration, indicating a severe injury. Admitting the patient to the ICU allows for close monitoring of his condition, ensuring immediate intervention if his condition deteriorates. Option A, Type and crossmatch for blood, is not the priority in this scenario as stabilizing the patient's condition takes precedence. Option B, requesting consultation of a pediatrician, may be necessary but not as urgent as admitting to the ICU. Option C, transferring the patient to a trauma center, may delay critical care that the patient needs immediately.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because elevated central venous pressure is not a criterion for transfer to a burn center. A, B, and C are all valid criteria for transfer based on the severity and location of burns. Criteria A and B indicate the extent of burns in terms of partial-thickness and full-thickness involvement, while C highlights specific anatomical areas that may require specialized care due to the risk of complications. Elevated central venous pressure is not typically used as a criterion for transfer to a burn center as it is not directly related to the severity or management of burns. Hence, choice D is the exception among the given criteria.