Question

Your patient was a passenger in a vehicle that struck a tree. Which of the following is considered the "third collision" based on this mechanism?

A. patient's internal organs striking the internal structures of the body
B. vehicle's impact with the tree
C. patient's collision with the seat belts or air bags
D. patient's collision with the interior structures of the vehicle

Answer 1

The "third collision" in a vehicle accident refers to the passenger's internal organs striking the internal structures of the body after the vehicle's impact with the tree and the passenger's collision with the interior structures of the vehicle or safety devices.

Step-by-step explanation:

Your patient was a passenger in a vehicle that struck a tree. Based on the mechanism of injury described, the "third collision" is considered to be the patient's internal organs striking the internal structures of the body. This occurs after the initial collision of the vehicle with the tree (first collision) and the passenger's collision with the interior structures of the vehicle, like the seatbelt or airbag (second collision).

During a motor vehicle crash, three collisions occur:

1. The vehicle collides with another object, like a tree.
2. The passenger collides with interior objects of the vehicle like seat belts or airbags (if they are restrained), or with the vehicle's interior like the steering wheel or dashboard (if they are not restrained).
3. The passenger's internal organs collide with the skeletal structure or other organs inside the body, which is the third collision. This third collision often causes the internal injuries that are particularly dangerous because they are not as immediately apparent as external injuries.

Understanding the three collisions in a motor vehicle accident can help medical professionals better assess and treat patients, as well as inform safety measures to protect vehicle occupants.