Question

Emergency Medical Responders have removed an intoxicated and confused patient from a car that struck another car at a high rate of speed. The patient was unrestrained and his car did not have airbags. Assessment reveals deformity bilaterally to the hips and femurs and bruising to the knees. Based on this injury pattern, the EMT would recognize what type of injury mechanism?

Select one:
a. High velocity
b. Down and under
c. Up and over
d. Lateral impact

Answer 1

The EMTs would recognize a 'down and under' injury mechanism due to bilateral hip and femur deformities and knee bruising, indicating the lower extremities were forced under the dashboard during a high-speed collision.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the injury pattern described, the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) would recognize a down and under type of injury mechanism. This kind of injury occurs when a patient's lower extremities are forced under the dashboard or the seat in front of them during a collision, especially when the patient is not restrained and the car lacks airbags. The deformity bilaterally to the hips and femurs along with bruising to the knees are indicative of such a mechanism, where the legs typically slide forward and then are forcefully stopped by the car's structures, leading to compression and potential fractures of the lower extremities.