A 24-year-old man presents 18 hours after a high-speed motor vehicle collision with increasing abdominal pain and tachycardia. Focused abdominal sonog...

Question

A 24-year-old man presents 18 hours after a high-speed motor vehicle collision with increasing abdominal pain and tachycardia. Focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) is indeterminate. Haemoglobin has dropped from 140 g/L to 90 g/L. He remains hypotensive despite fluids. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Immediate exploratory laparotomy

Answer

CT abdomen with contrast in the radiology department

Answer

Observation in the emergency department

Answer

Diagnostic peritoneal aspiration only

Answer

Discharge with close follow-up

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Haemodynamically unstable blunt abdominal trauma