Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

When facing a patient with a suspected femur fracture, altered mental status, and hypotension, what is a primary cause of shock to consider?

1. Cardiac Tamponade

2. Pneumothorax

3. Internal bleeding

4. Hypoxia

The correct answer is: Internal bleeding

In a situation involving a patient with a suspected femur fracture, altered mental status, and hypotension, internal bleeding is a primary cause of shock that needs to be considered. A femur fracture can result in significant vascular injury due to the bone's proximity to major blood vessels, leading to substantial blood loss. When a patient experiences a fracture, particularly of the femur, the potential for hemorrhagic shock increases as blood vessels in the area may be disrupted. The altered mental status and hypotension further indicate that the body is not adequately perfusing the brain and other organs, which aligns with the symptoms of hypovolemic shock that arises from internal bleeding. This situation also explains why securing rapid medical intervention is crucial to manage the bleeding and restore hemodynamic stability, as failing to address this can lead to severe complications or deterioration of the patient's condition. Other conditions, such as cardiac tamponade and pneumothorax, may cause shock, but they are more situational and typically do not directly result from a femur fracture as commonly as internal bleeding does. Hypoxia, while a potential issue, is generally a consequence of inadequate oxygenation and perfusion rather than being a direct cause of shock in this specific scenario.