Which statement regarding the motorcycle crash patient is FALSE?

• A. You must stop the bleeding from his abrasions immediately or he will die from hypovolemic shock.
• B. You should suspect that the patient has a skull fracture and increased intracranial pressure.
• C. Internal hemorrhage cannot be controlled in the field and requires prompt surgical intervention.
• D. Femur fractures are a common injury when a motorcyclist is ejected from his or her motorcycle.

Answer: (A)

In trauma care, the most immediate threats come from life-threatening injuries, not superficial skin wounds. A motorcycle crash patient can have serious internal bleeding or head injury even when road rash or minor abrasions look inconsequential. The statement that you must stop bleeding from abrasions immediately or the patient will die from hypovolemic shock is not accurate. Abrasions bleed, but they are rarely the source of rapid, lethal blood loss. The priority is to identify and manage major external bleeding and any signs of internal hemorrhage or head injury, while ensuring rapid transport to definitive care.

Suspected skull fracture with possible increased intracranial pressure is a real concern in motorcycle crashes. Look for signs such as severe headache, decreased mental status, unequal pupils, vomiting, or signs around the head, and treat as a potential head injury with airway protection and spinal precautions while arranging rapid transport.

Internal hemorrhage in the field cannot be definitively controlled surgically; you provide supportive care and rapid transport so the patient can receive definitive care where surgery is available. That makes the statement about needing surgical intervention in the field incorrect, since surgery is not something you perform on scene.

Femur fractures are indeed a common consequence of high-energy motorcycle crashes and ejections. They not only cause severe pain and immobility but can also lead to significant blood loss, so proper splinting and minimizing movement are important parts of on-scene care.