Surgery · USMLE Step 2 CK

USMLE Step 2 CK Surgery: Trauma and Critical Care

Trauma primary and secondary survey steps and surgical critical care management scenarios beyond the general Step 2 CK Surgery deck.

40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

Study this set free Get FlashKeepers for iPhone
What is the first priority in the primary survey (trauma ABCDE)?
Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
At what GCS score is a definitive airway indicated in a trauma patient?
GCS 8 or less
When is an emergent cricothyroidotomy indicated?
When the patient cannot be intubated and cannot be oxygenated
Where is a needle decompression performed for tension pneumothorax?
Second intercostal space at the midclavicular line
How is tension pneumothorax diagnosed in a trauma patient?
Clinically, based on exam findings, not by waiting for a chest x-ray
Which way does the trachea deviate in tension pneumothorax?
Away from the affected side
What defines a massive hemothorax?
Over 1500 mL of blood on initial chest tube output, or over 200 mL per hour for 2 to 4 hours
What is the initial management of an open pneumothorax?
A three-sided occlusive dressing
What defines a flail chest?
Three or more contiguous ribs fractured in two or more places each
What underlying injury is the main concern with flail chest?
Pulmonary contusion
What are the three components of Beck's triad?
Hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds
What bedside test confirms suspected cardiac tamponade in a trauma patient?
Focused echocardiography (the pericardial view of the FAST exam)
What is the purpose of the FAST exam in trauma?
To detect free fluid in the abdomen or pericardium
What is the initial management step for circulation in trauma resuscitation?
Place two large-bore IVs and give crystalloid fluid
What blood product ratio is used in a massive transfusion protocol?
1:1:1 ratio of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets

25 more cards in the app