Emergency Care, 13e (Limmer et al.)
Chapter 29 Trauma to the Head, Neck, and Spine
1) The maxillae form which of the following structures?
A) Lower jaw
B) Upper jaw
C) Cheek bones
D) Forehead
Objective: 29.1
2) What is another name for the zygomatic bone?
A) Malar
B) Maxillae
C) Temporal
D) Mandible
Objective: 29.1
3) The bony bumps you feel along the center of a person’s back are known as which of the
following?
A) Vertebrae
B) Foramen magnum
C) Spinous process
D) Transverse processes
Objective: 29.1
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4) Which of the following is defined as an area of the body surface that is innervated by a single
spinal nerve?
A) Spinous process
B) Transverse process
C) Malar
D) Dermatome
Objective: 29.1
5) Messages from the body to the brain are carried by which of the following types of nerves?
A) Sensory
B) Skeletal
C) Motor
D) Cranial
Objective: 29.2
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6) Which of the following systems includes the pairs of nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord
between each pair of vertebrae?
A) Peripheral nervous system
B) Central nervous system
C) Autonomic nervous system
D) All of the above
Objective: 29.2
7) Which of the following is a function of the autonomic nervous system?
A) Speaking
B) Running or walking
C) Constriction of blood vessels
D) Solving complex math problems
Objective: 29.2
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8) Which of the following is controlled by the left side of the brain?
A) Sensation in the left arm
B) Sensation of the right leg
C) Movement of both lower extremities
D) Movement of the left arm
Objective: 29.2
9) To which of the following sections of the spine are the ribs attached?
A) Thoracic
B) Sacral
C) Cervical
D) Lumbar
Objective: 29.2
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10) Which portions of the spine are the most vulnerable to injury?
A) Thoracic and lumbar
B) Cervical and lumbar
C) Cervical and sacra
D) Thoracic and sacra
Objective: 29.2
11) Which of the following is the opening at the base of the skull?
A) Foramen magnum
B) Orbits
C) Spinous process
D) Temporomandibular joint
Objective: 29.2
12) How many cervical vertebrae are there?
A) 7
B) 12
C) 5
D) 4
Objective: 29.2
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13) A 65-year-old man was doing some work on his roof when he lost his footing and fell to the
ground, approximately 15 feet. He is unconscious but his respirations are normal. You note an
obviously angulated left leg. You are more concerned about a possible head injury. Which of the
following would indicate a possible head injury?
A) Increased blood pressure
B) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15
C) Constricted pupils
D) Increased pulse rate
Objective: 29.3
14) As pressure within the cranium increases, which of the following is the result?
A) Decreased blood pressure, decreased pulse
B) Increased blood pressure, decreased pulse
C) Decreased blood pressure, increased pulse
D) Increased blood pressure, increased pulse
Objective: 29.3
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15) A fracture of which of the following bones would be considered a skull fracture?
A) Temporal bone
B) Nasal bones
C) Maxilla
D) Any of the above
Objective: 29.3
16) Which of the following injuries is considered an indirect brain injury?
A) Cerebral laceration
B) Depressed skull fracture with cerebral penetration by bone fragments
C) Gunshot wound to the head
D) Concussion
Objective: 29.3
17) Which of the following is classified as an open head injury?
A) Contusion without a skull fracture
B) Laceration with a skull fracture
C) Laceration without a skull fracture
D) Both A and B
Objective: 29.3
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18) Which of the following statements concerning a concussion is true?
A) It is a bruising of the brain tissue.
B) The patient may not have any symptoms of the injury.
C) It is accompanied by recurrent episodes of unconsciousness.
D) All of the above
Objective: 29.3
19) When blood accumulates between the brain and the dura mater, what is the result?
A) Epidural contusion
B) Subdural contusion
C) Epidural hematoma
D) Subdural hematoma
Objective: 29.3
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20) Your patient is a 35-year-old woman who was driving a minivan that was struck in the
driver’s side door by another vehicle. You notice that when you apply pressure to her sternum
with your knuckles she extends her legs and flexes her arms and wrists. When giving your radio
report, which of the following terms should you use to describe this?
A) Tonic-clonic activity
B) Posturing
C) Cushing’s reflex
D) Battle’s sign
Objective: 29.3
21) You are treating a 54-year-old female patient who was involved in a domestic dispute; you
notice an abrasion to the side of her head. The patient is unresponsive with a blood pressure of
200/110, a pulse of 60 beats per minute, and slightly irregular breathing. The patient’s
presentation is most likely caused by which of the following?
A) Increased intracranial pressure
B) Coup-contrecoup injury
C) Closed head injury
D) Increased arterial pressure
Objective: 29.3
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22) Which of the following is a sign of possible brain injury?
A) Deep laceration of the scalp
B) Projectile vomiting
C) Irregular breathing pattern
D) All of the above
Objective: 29.4
23) Your patient has been involved in a motor vehicle collision. He has a contusion on his
forehead, is confused, and is bleeding from his nose. His heart rate is 90 beats per minute, blood
pressure is 80/58 mmHg, respirations are 20 breaths per minute, and his skin is cool and clammy.
Which of the following sets of injuries should you suspect?
A) Head injury, spine injury, and internal bleeding
B) Head injury
C) Head injury and spine injury
D) Head injury and internal bleeding
Objective: 29.4
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