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Cultural safety in Indigenous patient care — RCPSC EM MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardEthics, medicolegal, Indigenous healthCultural safety in Indigenous patient careRCPSC EM

After blunt orbital trauma, a patient has rapidly decreasing vision, proptosis, a relative afferent pupillary defect and IOP 48 mmHg. CT and ophthalmology will each take 30 minutes. What should occur now?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Perform lateral canthotomy and cantholysis before imaging or consultant arrival

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · A = shown as B

C is correct because this is clinical orbital compartment syndrome with threatened vision; decompression cannot await confirmation or transfer of responsibility. D, E and A consume ischemic time. B is not the standard decompressive procedure.

Reference: Emergency Care BC, Acute Vision Loss: https://emergencycarebc.ca/clinical_resource/clinical-summary/acute-vision-loss/