Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

You are on the scene of an MVC with a patient who has a suspected pelvic fracture. The patient is hemodynamically unstable. You should:

1. Elevate the patient's legs and give high-flow oxygen

2. Immobilize the patient with a pelvic binder and transport rapidly

3. Log roll the patient onto a long spine board

4. Splint the legs individually to prevent movement

The correct answer is: Elevate the patient's legs and give high-flow oxygen

In a scenario where a patient has a suspected pelvic fracture and is hemodynamically unstable, the priority should be to manage the patient's shock state. Elevating the patient's legs and providing high-flow oxygen can help improve perfusion to vital organs and assist in stabilizing the patient's condition. This approach is crucial to support the patient's circulation and improve their chances of survival. While immobilizing the patient with a pelvic binder and transporting rapidly is a common practice in pelvic fractures, in this case, stabilizing the patient's condition by addressing their hemodynamic instability takes precedence over immobilization. Log rolling the patient onto a long spine board is not recommended in the context of a suspected pelvic fracture and hemodynamically unstable patient as it can potentially worsen the existing injury and jeopardize the patient's condition. Similarly, splinting the legs individually to prevent movement is not a priority when dealing with a hemodynamically unstable patient with a suspected pelvic fracture. The focus should be on managing shock and stabilizing the patient's condition first.