Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What occurs with thoracic contusions?

1. Bleeding occurs in the pleural space

2. Arrhythmias and chest pains resembling AMI

3. Ribs become fractured in multiple areas

4. Pressure builds leading to pneumothorax

The correct answer is: Arrhythmias and chest pains resembling AMI

Thoracic contusions refer to bruises in the chest area, which can involve damage to the muscles and soft tissues without necessarily causing fractures. When these contusions occur, they can compromise the function of the heart and the lungs. The irritation or injury to the chest wall can lead to arrhythmias, as the heart may become influenced by the trauma or increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Additionally, the presence of chest pain may mimic that of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to the similar nature of pain signals being sent from the injured area. While bleeding in the pleural space, fractures, and pneumothoraxes are potential complications of blunt trauma to the chest, they are not direct consequences of thoracic contusions themselves. Instead, they are more associated with other forms of trauma, such as rib fractures or penetrating injuries. Thus, the symptoms associated with arrhythmias and chest pain are the more common result of contusions to the thoracic area, emphasizing their impact on cardiac and pulmonary function.