Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Ace your Adult Critical Care Exam. Utilize interactive flashcards and comprehensive multiple choice queries to prepare. Hints and explanations are provided for each query to enhance understanding.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

A patient involved in an accident presents unconscious with facial abrasions. What diagnostic study is most beneficial?

Lung scan
CT scan
ABG
Serum electrolytes

The correct answer is: CT scan

In the scenario of a patient presenting unconscious with facial abrasions after an accident, a CT scan is the most beneficial diagnostic study. The primary concern in such cases, especially after a traumatic event, is to identify any potential intracranial injuries, such as hemorrhages, contusions, or fractures of the skull. A CT scan is rapid, widely available, and highly effective in detecting these types of injuries, which can be crucial for determining the immediate management and treatment plan for the patient. While the other diagnostic options may provide useful information, they are not as directly relevant to the acute assessment of potential brain injuries. A lung scan focuses on pulmonary function and would not address neurological concerns. Arterial blood gases (ABG) primarily provide insight into a patient’s respiratory status and metabolic function but do not help evaluate trauma to the head. Serum electrolytes can provide information about a patient’s metabolic and hydration status but are not used to assess for traumatic brain injuries. Therefore, in the context of this clinical scenario, a CT scan is essential for a thorough evaluation of possible brain injury and guiding treatment.