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Major trauma — MRCPCH FOP MCQ

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HardEmergency paediatricsMajor traumaMRCPCH FOP

A 6-year-old boy is brought after a road traffic collision. He is crying, has a scalp laceration, respiratory rate 34/min, pulse 155/min, capillary refill 5 seconds and a tender distended abdomen. What is the most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: A — ABCDE assessment with haemorrhage control and trauma team activation

Tachycardia, prolonged capillary refill and abdominal tenderness after high-energy trauma suggest shock from internal bleeding, so structured ABCDE resuscitation and trauma team activation are needed. CT should not precede stabilisation in an unstable child. The scalp wound may distract from life-threatening torso injury. The pearl is that children maintain blood pressure until late shock.

Reference: APLS; NICE NG39 Major trauma