New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

A patient with a head injury from a baseball bat is likely to have which additional injury?

1. Hypothermia

2. Hypertensive shock due to blood loss

3. Spinal injuries

4. Lung collapse

The correct answer is: Spinal injuries

When assessing a patient with a head injury, especially from a blunt force trauma like being struck by a baseball bat, it is essential to consider the potential for associated injuries. In this case, the likelihood of spinal injuries is significant. Blunt trauma to the head often involves forces that may also transmit down the spine, potentially leading to injuries in this area. Such injuries can range from concussions and contusions to fractures of the cervical vertebrae. The mechanism of injury—where a substantial impact is involved—raises the risk of not only head trauma but also injury to the spine, particularly in the cervical region, where the impact force is transferred from the head. The other options, such as hypothermia, hypertensive shock due to blood loss, and lung collapse, are less likely to be directly associated with a head injury from blunt trauma. Hypothermia is typically related to environmental factors rather than trauma; hypertensive shock is not the most immediate concern following head injury unless significant external bleeding is noted, and lung collapse would more likely be associated with penetrating trauma or chest injuries rather than blunt force to the head. Thus, considering the mechanism of injury, spinal injuries is the most logical additional injury to anticipate in this scenario.