Penetrating traumatic arrest tamponade — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: D — Request immediate thoracotomy-capable support while continuing traumatic arrest care

Option D is correct because Penetrating chest traumatic arrest with suspected tamponade may be survivable with immediate specialist thoracotomy. Option A is less appropriate because the clinical risk exceeds that destination or timeframe; option C is less appropriate because pre-alert is needed to mobilise the correct receiving team. Option B is less appropriate because watchful waiting risks deterioration or delays definitive care; option E is less appropriate because unmonitored private transport is unsafe for this risk profile. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: ATACC Manual; JRCALC Guidelines