Question

Which one of the following patients would justify the need to directly transport to a trauma center based on special patient considerations?

A. A pregnant female in the third trimester who is spotting (showing small amounts of vaginal bleeding) following a low mechanism of injury MVC
B. An elderly patient on anticoagulants who slipped out of her wheelchair and is complaining of pelvic pain
C. An unlicensed teenage driver who has a pulse rate of 120 after a MVC and a 4 minute EMS response
D. An end-stage renal disease (ERSD) patient who tripped and fell and is complaining of shoulder pain on the same side as his shunt

Answer 1

The patient that justifies the need for direct transport to a trauma center is the elderly patient on anticoagulants who slipped and is complaining of pelvic pain, due to high risk of internal bleeding and the severity that a pelvic fracture poses.

Step-by-step explanation:

Direct Transport to a Trauma Center Based on Special Patient Considerations

Among the patients listed, the one that justifies the need for direct transport to a trauma center based on special patient considerations is: B. An elderly patient on anticoagulants who slipped out of her wheelchair and is complaining of pelvic pain. The reason this patient requires immediate transport to a trauma center is the combination of anticoagulant therapy, which can exacerbate internal bleeding, and the pelvic pain, which is indicative of a potential pelvic fracture - a condition that can result in significant internal hemorrhage and is considered a high-risk injury. Elderly patients are also more susceptible to serious injuries from seemingly minor trauma due to factors like osteoporosis. The presence of anticoagulant medication complicates the situation further as it can lead to increased bleeding. Therefore, this scenario demands immediate advanced care at a trauma center.

For A. A pregnant female in the third trimester who is spotting following a low mechanism of injury MVC, while she should be assessed by medical personnel, the description does not necessarily indicate direct transport to a trauma center unless there are additional signs of trauma or distress.

For C. An unlicensed teenage driver with a pulse rate of 120 after a MVC and a 4-minute EMS response, tachycardia could be due to a range of factors, including stress or minor injuries. Without further signs of serious injury or distress, they may not require immediate transport to a trauma center.

Regarding D. An end-stage renal disease (ERSD) patient who tripped and fell and is complaining of shoulder pain on the same side as his shunt, while serious given the significance of the shunt, this situation might not necessitate immediate transport to a trauma center without additional signs of serious injury or complications.