Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

During your assessment of a patient with a gunshot wound to the chest, you note that his skin is pale. This finding is the result of:

1. a critically low blood pressure

2. a significantly elevated heart rate

3. decreased blood flow to the skin

4. peripheral dilation of the vasculature

The correct answer is: decreased blood flow to the skin

When a patient presents with pale skin, it is typically the result of decreased blood flow to the skin. This reduced blood flow can be due to various factors such as vasoconstriction, shock, or decreased circulating blood volume. In the case of a gunshot wound to the chest, pale skin may indicate poor perfusion and inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, which can be a critical sign requiring immediate attention. Option A is incorrect because a critically low blood pressure would more likely present with cool, clammy skin rather than pale skin. Option B is also incorrect as a significantly elevated heart rate would not directly cause the skin to appear pale. Option D is not the correct answer because peripheral vasodilation would typically result in flushed or reddened skin rather than pale skin as seen in this scenario.