SAQ 823 – Trauma – penetrating neck injury assessment

Marked out of 12.00

A 27-year-old woman is brought to your tertiary ED by ambulance with a penetrating wound to the neck after being assaulted with a kitchen knife. She has a hoarse voice and appears confused, with no visible blood in the oropharynx. Her GCS is 13, HR 100 bpm, BP 95/60 mmHg and SaO2 95% on room air.

State six (6) points about your initial management of this patient.

(Marked out of 6.0)


/ 6

She reports left-eye visual disturbance with paraesthesia and weakness in her right arm. Injury to which structure is most likely?

(Marked out of 1.0)


/ 1

List three (3) other signs that would indicate urgent operative intervention.

(Marked out of 3.0)


/ 3

Her airway is secured and she remains stable after initial resuscitation. While preparing for operative intervention, what is your imaging of choice?

(Marked out of 1.0)


/ 1

Injury to which structure is the leading cause of delayed mortality in penetrating neck injury?

(Marked out of 1.0)


/ 1

Total Score: 0 / 12

Percentage: 0%