Trauma Care After Resuscitation (TCAR) Practice Exam

Which finding indicates a great vessel injury in thoracic trauma?

Fever Pneumothorax only Clear chest radiograph Massive hemothorax

Correct Answer:

Massive hemothorax

Explanation:

In thoracic trauma, signs of a great vessel injury are tied to rapid, large-volume bleeding into the chest. A massive hemothorax fits that pattern perfectly: tearing a major vessel dumps a lot of blood into the pleural space quickly, leading to shock and respiratory compromise. Fever points to infection or inflammation, not acute vascular injury. Pneumothorax alone is air in the pleural space from other injury and doesn’t specifically indicate a great vessel tear, and a clear chest radiograph reduces suspicion of significant intrathoracic bleeding. Thus, experiencing a massive hemothorax best signals a great vessel injury.

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