Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

A patient with retrosternal chest pain and dysphagia after a vehicle collision likely has:

1. Pulmonary embolism

2. Traumatic aortic disruption

3. Myocardial infarction

4. Pneumothorax

The correct answer is: Traumatic aortic disruption

A patient presenting with retrosternal chest pain and dysphagia following a vehicle collision suggests the involvement of the aorta or surrounding structures, which aligns with traumatic aortic disruption. This condition can occur as a result of significant blunt thoracic trauma, such as that which might be sustained in a vehicle accident. Retrosternal chest pain indicates that the discomfort is located in the middle of the chest, which can be associated with serious conditions affecting the heart or major blood vessels. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can occur if the aorta is displaced or if there is swelling from concomitant injuries that affect the esophagus. Traumatic aortic disruption is particularly dangerous as it can lead to significant hemorrhage and is often associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate if not rapidly identified and treated. Other conditions, although they may cause chest pain, do not typically present with dysphagia and are less likely to follow a collision with the same profile of symptoms. For instance, pulmonary embolism usually manifests with pleuritic chest pain and respiratory distress rather than dysphagia, myocardial infarction may cause similar pains but typically without difficulty swallowing, and pneumothorax is characterized by abrupt, sharp chest pain and shortness of breath