A patient with a crush injury should be monitored for which condition?

A patient with a crush injury should be monitored for which condition?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Dysthymias
• C. Pneumonia
• D. Acidosis

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is related to the potential cardiovascular complications that can arise from a crush injury. When a patient suffers a crush injury, there is a significant risk for traumatic rhabdomyolysis, where damaged muscle tissue releases toxins into the bloodstream. This can lead to electrolyte imbalances, particularly elevated potassium levels, which can disrupt the normal conduction of the heart and result in dysrhythmias. Close monitoring for any abnormal heart rhythms is crucial in managing patients with crush injuries to prevent serious cardiac complications. While hypertension, pneumonia, and acidosis can be associated with trauma patients, they are not as directly linked to the immediate consequence of a crush injury as dysrhythmias. Each of these conditions can arise from other complications or circumstances but do not specifically signal the urgent cardiac monitoring needed in the context of a crush injury scenario.

The correct answer is related to the potential cardiovascular complications that can arise from a crush injury. When a patient suffers a crush injury, there is a significant risk for traumatic rhabdomyolysis, where damaged muscle tissue releases toxins into the bloodstream. This can lead to electrolyte imbalances, particularly elevated potassium levels, which can disrupt the normal conduction of the heart and result in dysrhythmias. Close monitoring for any abnormal heart rhythms is crucial in managing patients with crush injuries to prevent serious cardiac complications.

While hypertension, pneumonia, and acidosis can be associated with trauma patients, they are not as directly linked to the immediate consequence of a crush injury as dysrhythmias. Each of these conditions can arise from other complications or circumstances but do not specifically signal the urgent cardiac monitoring needed in the context of a crush injury scenario.