Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

Which organs are most commonly injured in blast injuries?

1. Heart and lungs

2. Large intestines and hollow organs

3. Kidneys and bladder

4. Skin and soft tissue

The correct answer is: Large intestines and hollow organs

In the context of blast injuries, large intestines and hollow organs are particularly susceptible to damage due to the mechanism of injury involved in explosions. When a blast occurs, it generates overpressure waves and potentially shrapnel that can have devastating effects on the body's structures. Hollow organs, such as the stomach, intestines, and bladder, are at risk of rupture when subjected to these sudden changes in pressure. The walls of these organs are relatively thin and can be easily compromised, leading to significant internal bleeding and contamination due to the release of their contents into the abdominal cavity. This can result in serious complications like peritonitis, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention. The heart and lungs, while also vulnerable in certain types of blasts, tend to sustain injuries related to blunt force trauma or secondary impacts rather than direct overpressure effects, which mainly affect hollow organs. Similarly, the kidneys and bladder, although important organs, do not face the same level of risk from blast injuries as the hollow organs do. Skin and soft tissue injuries typically manifest as lacerations, abrasions, or burns, which while common, do not carry the same immediate life-threatening implications that injuries to large intestines and hollow organs often do in the context