Penetrating abdominal trauma — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: C — Rapid transport to a major trauma centre with permissive hypotension if no brain injury

Rapid transport to a major trauma centre with permissive hypotension if no brain injury is the best answer because hypotensive penetrating abdominal trauma is likely internal haemorrhage needing surgical control. Allow self-evacuation in a private vehicle is less appropriate because private transport is unsafe for an unstable or potentially unstable casualty; Transport to the nearest minor injury unit is less appropriate because a minor injury unit cannot provide definitive major trauma care. Transport to the nearest hospital without pre-alert and Delay transport for full wound cleaning are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: NICE Major Trauma NG39; JRCALC Guidelines; ATACC Manual