Final answer:
The injury most related to airbag deployment in a motor vehicle accident is bruising of the heart muscle, also known as a cardiac contusion. Airbags deploy with significant force, which can cause chest injuries including cardiac contusions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A trauma patient from a motor vehicle accident is on the way to the operating room, and the inquiry relates to which injury is MOST likely related to airbag deployment. Among the options, the most frequent injury associated with this mechanism is D. bruising of the heart muscle, also known as a cardiac contusion. When an airbag deploys, it does so with significant force and speed to protect the occupant, but this can lead to chest injuries, especially to areas like the heart that can be bruised by the sudden compression against the sternum or rib cage.
While liver or spleen lacerations, femur fractures, and arm fractures can occur during vehicle accidents, these are more typically associated with the trauma of the collision itself or related mechanisms, such as being thrown against vehicle components or crushed, rather than specifically with airbag deployment.