North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the North Carolina EMT State Exam with interactive quizzes and comprehensive explanations. Master your skills and gain confidence by reviewing key topics before test day!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

A patient has a rib fracture in the lower left anterior region. Which organ is likely injured?

Liver
Spleen
Kidney
Stomach

The correct answer is: Spleen

When considering a rib fracture in the lower left anterior region, the most likely organ to be injured is the spleen. The spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, adjacent to the lower left ribs. Rib fractures in this area can lead to direct trauma to the spleen, resulting in potential splenic laceration or rupture, which can cause significant internal bleeding. The liver is primarily located in the upper right quadrant, making it less likely to be affected by a left-sided rib fracture. The kidney is situated in the posterior abdomen and is usually more protected by the ribs, particularly from anterior rib fractures. The stomach, while located in the upper abdomen, does not typically sustain injury from fractures of the lower ribs, as its position is more central and on the midline. Given that the spleen's anatomical position and its vulnerability to trauma from rib fractures in the lower left region, it is the most likely injured organ in this scenario.