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In a motor vehicle collision, which injury pathway is most likely to increase the patients morbidity and mortality?

A.Rotational
B.Ejection
C. Lateral

User Jameo
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2 Answers

1 vote

Final answer:

The injury pathway in a motor vehicle collision most likely to increase morbidity and mortality is ejection from the vehicle, due to the lack of protection and exposure to external impacts.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a motor vehicle collision, the injury pathway that is most likely to increase the patient's morbidity and mortality is ejection from the vehicle. When a passenger is ejected through a window or door, they are no longer protected by the safety features of the vehicle such as seat belts, airbags, and the steel frame. This exposure to external impact without any protection significantly raises the risk of fatal injuries or severe complications.

Rotational and lateral injury pathways also pose serious risks. Rotational forces can cause diffuse axonal injury in the brain due to the shearing effects, while lateral impacts can result in injuries to the organs on the side of the body impacted. However, ejection from the vehicle generally leads to the worst outcomes because of the high likelihood of multiple, severe injuries sustained upon striking objects or the ground outside the vehicle.

User Kasheen
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1 vote

Final answer:

The injury pTherefore, the injury pathway most likely to increase patients morbidity and mortality in a motor vehicle collision is B. Ejection.as it removes the protective environment of the car, leading to high-energy impacts that can cause serious or fatal injuries.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of motor vehicle collisions, morbidity and mortality refer to the rates of injury and death, respectively, that occur as a result of the accident. When examining the injury pathways, one pathway in particular stands out as most likely to increase the patient's morbidity and mortality: Ejection from the vehicle.

Ejection injuries occur when a person is thrown out of the vehicle during a crash. This is a highly dangerous event because it increases the patient's risk of suffering from severe trauma. Being ejected from a vehicle typically results in a high-energy impact with the ground or surrounding objects, which can lead to multiple, serious injuries or even be fatal. In contrast, while rotational and lateral collisions also present significant risks, the protective environment of the car (seat belts, airbags) may somewhat mitigate the extent of injuries compared to an ejection.

User NotMyName
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