Author Question: A 15-year-old female presents to the ER following a physical assault. She has internal damage to the ... (Read 89 times)

Sportsfan2111 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A 15-year-old female presents to the ER following a physical assault. She has internal damage to the neck with deep bruising. X-ray reveals fractures of the hyoid bone and tracheal and cricoid cartilage.

Which of the following most likely caused her injuries?
a. Chemical asphyxiation
b. Choking asphyxiation
c. Ligature strangulation
d. Manual strangulation

Question 2

A 30-year-old female presents with a gunshot wound to the head. The wound has seared edges and a deep penetration of smoke and gunpowder fragments. This wound would be documented as a(n):

a. exit.
b. intermediate range entrance.
c. contact range entrance.
d. indeterminate range entrance.

HandsomeMarc · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Squeezing of the neck as with strangulation would fraction the hyoid bone. Chemical asphyxia-tion would lead to breathing problems but would not result in fracture. Choking asphyxiation would lead to swelling of tissues but would not result in fracture. In ligature strangulation, the mark on the neck is horizontal without the inverted V pattern seen in hangings. It would not lead to fracture.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
A contact range entrance wound is a distinctive type of wound that happens when a gun is held so the muzzle rests on or presses into the skin surface; in addition to the hole, there is searing of the edges of the wound from flame and soot or smoke on the edges of the wound. It is unlikely it is an exit wound since there is only one wound and it has seared edges and gunpowder frag-ments. An intermediate range entrance wound is surrounded by gunpowder tattooing or stip-pling. An indeterminate range entrance wound occurs when flame, soot, or gunpowder does not reach the skin surface but the bullet does.