Musculoskeletal imaging: open-book pelvic injury: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Musculoskeletal imaging: open-book pelvic injury

Sample item

After a motorcycle crash a patient is hypotensive. The pelvic radiograph shows widening of the pubic symphysis and the sacroiliac joints. Which immediate measure best reduces pelvic volume and bleeding?

ACircumferential pelvic binder at the level of the greater trochantersBLog roll with pelvic rockingCRepeated bimanual pelvic compression to test stabilityDUrethral catheterisation before imaging

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Circumferential pelvic binder at the level of the greater trochanters

A widened symphysis with sacroiliac widening is an open-book injury, which has a large pelvic volume and bleeds from the venous plexus. A binder placed at the greater trochanters closes the pelvis and tamponades bleeding. Repeated compression or rocking dislodges clots, and catheterisation risks urethral injury.

Option by option

A. Circumferential pelvic binder at the level of the greater trochanters (correct)
Correct. A binder at the trochanters reduces pelvic volume and controls venous bleeding.
B. Log roll with pelvic rocking
Log rolling and rocking dislodge clots and worsen bleeding.
C. Repeated bimanual pelvic compression to test stability
Repeated compression disturbs clot and worsens haemorrhage.
D. Urethral catheterisation before imaging
Catheterisation before imaging risks worsening a urethral injury and does not control bleeding.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Circumferential pelvic binder at the level of the greater trochanters. A widened symphysis with sacroiliac widening is an open-book injury, which has a large pelvic volume and bleeds from the venous plexus.

Why is "Log roll with pelvic rocking" not the answer?

Log rolling and rocking dislodge clots and worsen bleeding.

Why is "Repeated bimanual pelvic compression to test stability" not the answer?

Repeated compression disturbs clot and worsens haemorrhage.

Why is "Urethral catheterisation before imaging" not the answer?

Catheterisation before imaging risks worsening a urethral injury and does not control bleeding.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: open-book pelvic injury in Radiology. A binder placed at the greater trochanters closes the pelvis and tamponades bleeding. Repeated compression or rocking dislodges clots, and catheterisation risks urethral injury.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Musculoskeletal imaging: open-book pelvic injury?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.