MCQ Quiz-Trauma

MCQ Quiz: Trauma

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From point-of-injury care and disaster preparedness to managing complex patients in the hospital after a traumatic event, the pharmacist’s role is expanding. A deep understanding of triage, first response principles, and the management of both physical and psychological trauma is essential for modern practitioners. This quiz, designed for PharmD students, tests your knowledge on the critical skills needed to respond effectively in emergencies and provide care in high-stakes situations.

1. At the point of injury, what is the first priority when assessing a trauma patient?

  • Determining the patient’s insurance status.
  • Ensuring the scene is safe for the responder.
  • Identifying the cause of the trauma.
  • Obtaining a detailed medication history.

Answer: Ensuring the scene is safe for the responder.

2. A pharmacist encounters a mass casualty event. The Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) method is used to prioritize patients. A patient who is able to walk would be categorized as:

  • Deceased (Black)
  • Immediate (Red)
  • Delayed (Yellow)
  • Minor (Green)

Answer: Minor (Green)

3. In the START triage system, a patient who is not breathing initially, but starts breathing after their airway is opened, should be tagged as:

  • Immediate (Red)
  • Delayed (Yellow)
  • Minor (Green)
  • Deceased (Black)

Answer: Immediate (Red)

4. A major, life-threatening concern in a trauma patient with a deep laceration is exsanguination. What is the most important first-aid step?

  • Applying a tourniquet above the wound.
  • Applying direct, firm pressure to the wound.
  • Pouring water on the wound to clean it.
  • Giving the patient aspirin.

Answer: Applying direct, firm pressure to the wound.

5. Which of the following is a classic sign of heat stroke, a life-threatening traumatic heat-related illness?

  • Profuse sweating with cool skin.
  • A normal body temperature.
  • Altered mental status and hot, dry skin.
  • A slow, bounding pulse.

Answer: Altered mental status and hot, dry skin.

6. The pharmacist’s role in a disaster response can include:

  • Dispensing medications at a Point of Dispensing (POD).
  • Serving as a drug information expert.
  • Assisting with triage and first aid.
  • All of the above.

Answer: All of the above.

7. The four phases of the disaster cycle are:

  • Triage, Treatment, Transport, and Tally.
  • Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation/Prevention.
  • Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
  • Warning, Evacuation, Shelter, and Return.

Answer: Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation/Prevention.

8. The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a national repository of:

  • Financial aid for disaster victims.
  • Food and water supplies.
  • Medicines and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency.
  • A list of all licensed pharmacists in the United States.

Answer: Medicines and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency.

9. VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) prophylaxis is a major consideration for hospitalized trauma patients because:

  • Immobility and tissue injury significantly increase the risk of developing blood clots.
  • Trauma patients have a lower risk of bleeding.
  • All trauma patients are on chronic anticoagulation.
  • It is required by hospital billing departments.

Answer: Immobility and tissue injury significantly increase the risk of developing blood clots.

10. In the context of disaster preparedness, CBRNE stands for:

  • Cardiac, Breathing, Responsive, Neurological, Exposure.
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive.
  • Community, Business, Residential, National, and Environmental.
  • County, Borough, Region, Nation, and Earth.

Answer: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive.

11. A trauma patient on warfarin presents to the ER with a major bleed. In addition to supportive care, what is the appropriate reversal agent?

  • Naloxone
  • Flumazenil
  • Vitamin K and/or Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (4F-PCC).
  • Protamine sulfate

Answer: Vitamin K and/or Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (4F-PCC).

12. The concept of self-awareness and self-care is important for healthcare professionals responding to trauma and disaster because:

  • It helps prevent and mitigate the high rate of stress and burnout associated with such events.
  • It is a requirement for malpractice insurance.
  • It ensures the provider will not be emotionally affected.
  • It is not an important concept.

Answer: It helps prevent and mitigate the high rate of stress and burnout associated with such events.

13. A hospital’s disaster preparedness plan should include protocols for:

  • Managing a sudden surge in patient volume.
  • Maintaining operations with limited resources or staff.
  • Communicating with the public and other agencies.
  • All of the above.

Answer: All of the above.

14. A patient is brought in after a traumatic injury and is experiencing respiratory distress. A pharmacist’s role as part of the team could be to:

  • Perform a chest tube insertion.
  • Recommend and prepare appropriate medications for rapid sequence intubation.
  • Intubate the patient.
  • Operate the ventilator.

Answer: Recommend and prepare appropriate medications for rapid sequence intubation.

15. In a disaster scenario, a “Point of Dispensing” or POD is a location set up to:

  • Provide long-term housing for displaced persons.
  • Triage all incoming patients.
  • Dispense medications or vaccines to a large population quickly.
  • Serve as the central command center for all operations.

Answer: Dispense medications or vaccines to a large population quickly.

16. Which of the following is a key mind-body skill that can help a responder build resilience when dealing with traumatic situations?

  • Avoiding sleep to stay alert.
  • Ignoring emotional responses.
  • Practicing controlled breathing techniques and mindfulness.
  • Focusing only on the negative aspects of the situation.

Answer: Practicing controlled breathing techniques and mindfulness.

17. Fluid resuscitation is a critical intervention in a hypotensive trauma patient. Which type of IV fluid is most commonly used for initial resuscitation?

  • D5W (5% Dextrose in Water)
  • 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) or Lactated Ringer’s.
  • 3% Hypertonic Saline
  • Sterile Water for Injection

Answer: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) or Lactated Ringer’s.

18. The “Recovery” phase of the disaster cycle focuses on:

  • The immediate response to the event.
  • Actions taken to prevent the disaster from occurring.
  • Returning the community to its normal, pre-disaster state.
  • Triaging patients at the scene.

Answer: Returning the community to its normal, pre-disaster state.

19. A key role for a pharmacist in the “Preparedness” phase of a disaster is:

  • Helping to create and maintain a disaster preparedness manual for their pharmacy or institution.
  • Dispensing medications to victims.
  • Providing long-term counseling to survivors.
  • Cleaning up debris after the event.

Answer: Helping to create and maintain a disaster preparedness manual for their pharmacy or institution.

20. A patient involved in a severe motor vehicle accident is at high risk for which type of VTE?

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Ischemic stroke
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Myocardial infarction

Answer: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

21. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool used by first responders to assess a trauma patient’s:

  • Level of consciousness.
  • Respiratory rate.
  • Blood pressure.
  • Risk of infection.

Answer: Level of consciousness.

22. If a trauma patient is suspected of having a stroke, a key piece of information to obtain is:

  • Their favorite food.
  • The time they were last known to be well or at their baseline.
  • Their vaccination history.
  • Their primary care physician’s name.

Answer: The time they were last known to be well or at their baseline.

23. Decontamination procedures are necessary after exposure to which type of CBRNE agent?

  • Explosive
  • Chemical or Radiological
  • Nuclear only
  • Biological only

Answer: Chemical or Radiological

24. The development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a potential long-term consequence of:

  • Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
  • Taking a daily multivitamin.
  • Getting an annual flu shot.
  • Working in a low-stress environment.

Answer: Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

25. A pharmacist working with an EMS team in a “ride-along” is part of what type of educational experience?

  • A traditional classroom lecture.
  • A sterile compounding lab.
  • An experiential rotation to learn about pre-hospital care.
  • An online module.

Answer: An experiential rotation to learn about pre-hospital care.

26. In a trauma situation where a patient has a known allergy to morphine, a pharmacist could recommend an alternative opioid, demonstrating their value in:

  • Ensuring safe medication use.
  • Diagnosing the patient’s injuries.
  • Performing surgical procedures.
  • Administering the medication.

Answer: Ensuring safe medication use.

27. The concept of “burnout” in healthcare professionals is characterized by:

  • Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a low sense of personal accomplishment.
  • A high level of job satisfaction.
  • An eagerness to take on new and challenging tasks.
  • A strong feeling of personal resilience.

Answer: Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a low sense of personal accomplishment.

28. Why is it important to ask a trauma patient about their tetanus vaccination status?

  • Open wounds from traumatic injuries are a significant risk factor for tetanus infection.
  • Tetanus is a common cause of traumatic injuries.
  • The tetanus vaccine can help stop bleeding.
  • It is not important to ask about tetanus status.

Answer: Open wounds from traumatic injuries are a significant risk factor for tetanus infection.

29. A patient is in anaphylactic shock after a bee sting. This is a life-threatening traumatic event caused by:

  • A bacterial infection.
  • A severe, systemic allergic reaction.
  • A heat-related illness.
  • A direct physical injury.

Answer: A severe, systemic allergic reaction.

30. The single most important intervention for anaphylaxis is the immediate administration of:

  • An oral antihistamine.
  • An inhaled corticosteroid.
  • Intramuscular epinephrine.
  • IV fluids.

Answer: Intramuscular epinephrine.

31. The “golden hour” in trauma care refers to:

  • The time of day when most traumas occur.
  • The critical period after an injury where prompt medical treatment has the highest likelihood of preventing death.
  • The last hour of a paramedic’s shift.
  • The time it takes for a helicopter to arrive.

Answer: The critical period after an injury where prompt medical treatment has the highest likelihood of preventing death.

32. What is the pharmacist’s role regarding the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)?

  • To manage the logistics of the entire national supply.
  • To assist in the receipt, storage, and dispensing of SNS assets at the local level during an emergency.
  • To decide which medications are included in the stockpile.
  • Pharmacists have no role regarding the SNS.

Answer: To assist in the receipt, storage, and dispensing of SNS assets at the local level during an emergency.

33. In the event of a radiological “dirty bomb” explosion, a pharmacist may be called upon to help dispense:

  • Antibiotics.
  • Antivirals.
  • Potassium iodide (KI) to protect the thyroid gland.
  • Antidepressants.

Answer: Potassium iodide (KI) to protect the thyroid gland.

34. A key principle of providing care in a disaster is to:

  • Provide the most advanced care to the least injured patients first.
  • Do the greatest good for the greatest number of people with the available resources.
  • Treat your friends and family first.
  • Use experimental therapies on all patients.

Answer: Do the greatest good for the greatest number of people with the available resources.

35. A trauma patient with a suspected spinal injury should be handled with extreme care to prevent:

  • Further damage to the spinal cord.
  • A drop in blood pressure.
  • The development of a fever.
  • A skin infection.

Answer: Further damage to the spinal cord.

36. The mental and emotional well-being of responders after a traumatic event is addressed through:

  • Ignoring any signs of stress.
  • Critical incident stress management (CISM) and debriefing.
  • Immediately returning to normal duties without discussion.
  • A mandatory 1-month vacation.

Answer: Critical incident stress management (CISM) and debriefing.

37. Which of the following is a pharmacist-specific task in a hospital’s response to a mass casualty event?

  • Performing emergency surgery.
  • Rapidly compounding and preparing emergency medications in bulk.
  • Driving the ambulance.
  • Directing traffic outside the hospital.

Answer: Rapidly compounding and preparing emergency medications in bulk.

38. The use of a tourniquet in a trauma patient with severe extremity bleeding is:

  • The first thing you should do for any bleeding.
  • A last resort when direct pressure fails, and it must be applied correctly to avoid further harm.
  • Never recommended in any situation.
  • Applied loosely to allow for some blood flow.

Answer: A last resort when direct pressure fails, and it must be applied correctly to avoid further harm.

39. A patient is having a glycemic emergency and is unconscious. The best first-aid treatment is:

  • To force them to drink orange juice.
  • To administer intramuscular glucagon, if available.
  • To wait for them to wake up on their own.
  • To give them an oral glucose tablet.

Answer: To administer intramuscular glucagon, if available.

40. The development of a “Disaster Preparedness Manual” for a community pharmacy is part of which phase of the disaster cycle?

  • Response
  • Recovery
  • Mitigation
  • Preparedness

Answer: Preparedness

41. One of the challenges a pharmacist might face in a disaster is:

  • Operating without electricity or running water.
  • A sudden surge of patients with urgent needs.
  • Disruption of the normal drug supply chain.
  • All of the above.

Answer: All of the above.

42. The concept of “triage” in an emergency is a form of:

  • Patient counseling.
  • Rationing scarce healthcare resources.
  • Long-term treatment planning.
  • Finalizing a diagnosis.

Answer: Rationing scarce healthcare resources.

43. A pharmacist is part of a first aid station at a large sporting event. This role involves:

  • Managing minor traumatic injuries like scrapes and dehydration.
  • Performing surgery for major injuries.
  • Prescribing controlled substances.
  • Selling merchandise.

Answer: Managing minor traumatic injuries like scrapes and dehydration.

44. Which of the following is a potential psychological response to trauma?

  • Increased resilience
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Flashbacks
  • All of the above

Answer: All of the above

45. In a trauma bay, the pharmacist’s role as a medication expert is critical because:

  • The high-stress environment increases the risk of medication errors.
  • Nurses are not trained to administer medications.
  • Physicians are too busy to think about drug doses.
  • The pharmacist is the designated team leader.

Answer: The high-stress environment increases the risk of medication errors.

46. A “go-bag” or disaster kit for a healthcare professional should contain:

  • Only personal items like snacks and water.
  • Copies of professional licenses, basic first-aid supplies, and any necessary personal medications.
  • A large amount of cash.
  • A single dose of every antibiotic.

Answer: Copies of professional licenses, basic first-aid supplies, and any necessary personal medications.

47. The “Recovery” phase of a disaster can often be the longest and most challenging because it involves:

  • The initial search and rescue efforts.
  • Rebuilding infrastructure and addressing the long-term mental and physical health of the community.
  • Triaging patients at the scene.
  • Dispensing medications at a POD.

Answer: Rebuilding infrastructure and addressing the long-term mental and physical health of the community.

48. Why is interprofessional collaboration essential during a disaster response?

  • To ensure a coordinated, efficient, and effective response that leverages the unique skills of each profession.
  • It is not essential; each profession should work independently.
  • To create a clear chain of command with one profession in charge of all others.
  • To fulfill a requirement for federal funding.

Answer: To ensure a coordinated, efficient, and effective response that leverages the unique skills of each profession.

49. A patient who has experienced a traumatic event may benefit from mind-body skills like guided imagery to:

  • Re-live the trauma in detail.
  • Help decrease stress and increase resilience.
  • Diagnose their physical injuries.
  • Prevent them from ever feeling sad.

Answer: Help decrease stress and increase resilience.

50. The ultimate goal of a pharmacist’s involvement in trauma and disaster response is to:

  • Demonstrate their skills to their colleagues.
  • Use their medication expertise to minimize harm and improve patient outcomes.
  • Gain experience for their resume.
  • Avoid their regular dispensing duties.

Answer: Use their medication expertise to minimize harm and improve patient outcomes.

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