Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

Which of the following mechanisms of injury would necessitate performing a rapid head-to-toe assessment?

1. A stable patient involved in a motor-vehicle crash, whose passenger was killed

2. A 5 foot, 9 inch tall adult who fell 12 feet from a roof and landed on his side

3. Amputation of three toes from the patient's left foot with controlled bleeding

4. An impaled object in the patient's lower extremity with minimal venous bleeding

The correct answer is: A stable patient involved in a motor-vehicle crash, whose passenger was killed

In this scenario, the mechanism of injury that would necessitate performing a rapid head-to-toe assessment is option A - "A stable patient involved in a motor-vehicle crash, whose passenger was killed." This particular mechanism of injury can indicate the presence of high-energy forces that could result in severe internal injuries, even if the patient appears stable externally. Therefore, conducting a rapid head-to-toe assessment in this situation is crucial to identify any life-threatening conditions that may not be immediately evident. Options B, C, and D do not present the same level of potential for severe internal injuries as option A. While it is important to assess patients with falls, amputations, and impaled objects promptly, these mechanisms of injury do not inherently carry the same immediate risk for serious internal trauma as a motor-vehicle crash involving fatalities.