Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What is a common physical finding in cases of traumatic asphyxia?

1. Swelling of the abdomen

2. Cyanosis of the head and upper extremities

3. Rapid heartbeat

4. Clear lung sounds

The correct answer is: Cyanosis of the head and upper extremities

Cyanosis of the head and upper extremities is a notable physical finding associated with traumatic asphyxia. This condition arises when there is significant compression of the chest, leading to impeded blood flow and resultant hypoxia, particularly affecting areas that are more distal from the heart. The head and upper extremities often become discolored due to a lack of oxygenated blood, leading to a bluish tint. In traumatic asphyxia, the mechanism typically involves severe blunt force trauma that causes the chest wall to be compressed, obstructing airflow and causing increased venous pressure. This process can lead to bruising and further physical signs such as petechiae, which are small, red or purple spots on the skin that can result from ruptured blood vessels due to the increased venous pressure. The other options do not effectively represent the hallmark signs of traumatic asphyxia: swelling of the abdomen may indicate other conditions such as internal bleeding or organ involvement, a rapid heartbeat is a non-specific response to shock rather than a direct physical sign of asphyxia, and clear lung sounds would suggest that the lungs are not congested or compromised, which contradicts the expected findings in a scenario of compromised ventilation.